
Class ^XM3&3= 
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Copyright N° 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 




ELDER JOHN JONES, (deceased) EARLY 

MODERATOR OF FISHER'S RIVER 

ASSOCIATION. 



HISTORY 

OF THE 

FISHER'S RIVER 

PRIMITIVE BAPTIST 

ASSOC! ATIO 1ST 

FROM ITS 

ORGANIZATION, 

IN 1832, 

TO 

1904, 

BY 

JESSE A. ASHBURN. 



Our motto: 
Truth is that perfect word thai 
knows no deception. 



LAXIREL, FORK, VIRGINIA: 

ELDER F. I>. BHAN8COME, BOOK -A.TSJX) JOS PRINTER. 

1905. 



■^W 3 



LIBRARY of CONGRESS 
Two Copies Received 

DEC 28 1905 

Copyright Entry 
/ iLASS 7 CX XXC. No. 

/ xt y? XI 

COPY B. 



Copyright, 1905, J3y Jesse J±. Ashburn. 



PREFACE. 



The object of this work is to pre- 
serve a knowledge of the faith, cus- 
toms, manner of worship &e. of the 
fathers. The author, seeing the 
growing tendency of the age to re- 
duce the Christian religion to a mere 
science or carnal knowledge of the 
Scriptures, on the one hand, and to 
leave off Christian duties and trust in 
the doctrine of "Stoicism" on the 
other, felt constrained to leave on 
record the faith and practice of the 
fathers, believing them to be of that 
faith and that practice taught in the 
Scriptures; and, while it is true that 
the work of the fathers is not held as 
faultless, yet their simple and faith- 
ful manner of living and worship, 
their child-like faith, their self-sacri- 
ficing spirit and fervent devotions 
are worthy of emulation. 



4 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

So, with this desire, this little 
book, imperfect and unattractive as 
it is, is sent forth. to the reader, trust- 
ing in advance that the reader may 
be actuated by chairity to overlook 
errors and weigh the intention, 

The Author. 



THE ORGANIZATION. 



The Fisher's River Primitive Bap- 
tist Association was organized on Fri- 
day before the third Sunday in No- 
vember, 1832, at Cody's Creek meet- 
inghouse^ abdUt eight or ten miles 
southwest of Dobson, N: C. 

The following churches, to wit: 
Deep Creek, Fisher's River, State 
Road, Round Peak, Cody's Creek, Ar- 
arat, and Swan Creek, all sent dele- 
gates to a convention, which had been 
previously called for the purpose of 
organizing a new association. These 
delegates, after assembling, organized 
by electing Elder Joshua Carter mod- 
erator, and Silas Jones clerk. They 
adopted the name Fisher's River Bap- 
tist Association, and elected a com- 
mittee, to wit: Pleasant Cockerham, 
John Jones, Henry Steele, Erasmus 
Canter, and Robert Welbourn to 



6 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

frame a Constitution &c. The follow- 
ing Covenant, Articles of Faith, Con- 
stitution, and Rules of Decorum, with 
but little exception, were submitted 
and adopted. 

COVENANT. 

We do now in the presence of Al- 
mighty God, and in the faith of the 
gospel, a,nd by the help of divine 
grace, unreservedly and unitedly give 
up ourselves to God the Father, and 
his Son Jesus Christ, and to the Ho- 
ly Ghost, to be for Him and no oth- 
er; freely submitting ourselves to him, 
to be at his disposal for his glory , tak- 
ing him as our true guide and only 
portion, promising by the help of di- 
vine grace to watch against sin, temp- 
tation, and corruption; and to hold a 
continual warfare with the same, 
looking to Christ who is the author 
and finisher of our faith, and the on- 
ly hope and surety of his people. 
Under his covenant of grace, we do 
now freely and joyfully give our- 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 7 

selves to one another by the will of 
God, freely covenanting and engag- 
ing to and with each other to bear 
one another's burdens in the gospel, 
and so fulfill the law of Christ unto 
obedience, promising to watch over 
one another in love and to hold com- 
munion together in the ordinances 
of the gospel, submitting ourselves 
in this, which we trust is a part of 
his mystical body, according as Ave 
shall be directed by his Spirit in his 
word; and by the help of divine grace 
to still pray for more light from the 
Lord, believing that he will further 
and more gloriously open to us his 
word and the mysteries of his king- 
dom, — and to our Lord Jesus Christ, 
our only Savior, to whom be glory 
forever and forever. Amen. 

ARTICLES OF FAITH. 

ARTICLE I OF GOD A^D THE HOLY 

TRINITY. 

We believe in one only true and 
living God, who rules all things af- 



8 HISTORY OF FISHFR's RIVER 

ter his own will; and that he, who 
created **all , things, is infinite in 
power, wisdom, knowledge and good- 
ness; eternal, immortal, invisible and 
unchangeable; and that this God has 
revealed himself in his word under 
the character of Fath,eiySon and Ho- 
ly Ghost, and that these three are 
one; and that there are three that 
bear witness in earth: the water, the 
spirit and the blood, and that these 
three agree in one. 

ARTICLE II.— OF THE HOLY SCRIPT- 
URES. 

We believe that the Hoty Script- 
ures of the Old and New Testament 
are the written word of God, and are 
a sufficient rule of faith and practice; 
that they are given by inspiration of 
God, and are profitable for doctrine, 
for reproof, for correction, and for in- 
struction in righteousness; and that 
they contain all things necessary to 
be known for the salvation of men 
and women. 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 9 
ARTICLE III. OF THE ATONEMENT. 

We believe that Christ died and 
made a complete atonement for all 
who ever did, does now, or ever will 
believe on his name; and that all who 
are finally saved were given to Christ 
in covenant of the Father before the 
world was, that they should show 
forth his praise. 

ARTICLE IV. — OF FOREKNOW LEDGE, E- 
LECTION AND PREDESTINATION. 

We believe that [all] whom God 
did foreknow he did also predestinate 
to be conformed to the image of his 
Son; that God elected according to his 
foreknowledge, through sanctifica- 
tion of the Spirit unto obedience and 
sprinkling of the blood of Jesus 
Christ, all who are finally saved, to 
an inheritance incorruptible and un- 
defiled, and that fadeth not away, re- 
served in heaven for all true saints; 
and that none come to Christ only 
those whom he loved with an ever- 
lasting love, and in due time calls to 



10 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

everlasting glory. 

V. We believe in the doctrine of 
original sin. 

VI. We believe in man's impoten- 
cy to recover himself from the fallen 
state he is in bv his own freewill and 
ability. 

VII. We believe that sinners are 
justified in the sight of God only by 
the imputed righteousness of Christ. 

VIII. We believe that God's elect 
will be called, converted, regenerated 
and sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 

IX. We believe the saints shall 
persevere in grace and never finally 
fall away. 

X. We believe that baptism and 
the Lord's supper are ordinances of 
Jesus Christ, and that true believers 
are the only proper subjects of the 
ordinances, and that the true mode 
of baptism is by immersion. 

XL We believe in the resurrection 

of the dead, and a general judgment. 

XII. We believe the punishment 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 11 

of the wicked will be eternal, and the 
joys of the righteous everlasting. 

XIII. We believe that no minister 
has the right to administer the ordi- 
nances only such as are regularly call- 
ed and have come under the imposi- 
tion of the hands of the presbytery. 

CONSTITUTION. 

I. The association shall be com- 
posed of members chosen by the dif- 
ferent churches in our union, and 
sent to represent them in the associ- 
ation, who shall be members best 
qualified for that purpose; and pro- 
ducing letters from their respective 
churches, certifying their appoint- 
ment, shall be entitled to seats; but 
no church shall have more than three 
representatives in the association. 

II. In the letters from the differ- 
ent churches shall be expressed their 
number in full fellowship, those bap- 
tized, received by letter, dismissed by 
letter, excommunicated and dead 
since the last association. These facts 



12 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

are to be expressed only in the letters 
to the fall association. 

III. The members thus chosen and 
received shall have no power to lord 
it over God's heritage, nor shall they 
use any ecclesiastical power over the 
churches, nor shall they infringe on 
any of the internal rights of the 
churches in the union. 

IV. The association, when con- 
vened, shall be governed and ruled 
by a regular and proper decorum. 

V. The association shall have a 
moderator and clerk, and who shall 
be chosen by the suffrage of the 
members present. 

VI. New churches may be admit- 
ted into this association, who shall 
petition by letter and messengers: and 
upon examination, if found orthodox 
and orderly, shall be received by the 
association, and manifested by the 
moderator giving the messengers the 
right hand of fellowship. 

VII. Everv church in the union 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 13 

shall be entitled to representation in 
the association. 

VIII. Every query presented, by 
any member in the association, shall 
be received and answered according 
to the Scriptures. 

IX. Every motion made and sec- 
onded shall be considered by the asso- 
ciation, except it be withdrawn by 
him who made it. 

X. There shall be an association 
book kept, wherein the proceedings 
of the association shall be recorded, 
by the clerk appointed by the asso- 
ciation. 

XI. The minutes of the association 
shall be read and corrected, if need 
be, and signed by the moderator and 
clerk before the association rises. 

XII. Amendments to this plan or 
form of government may be made at 
any time when the association may 
think proper. 

XIII. We hold no fellowship with 
any secret order. 



14 HISTORY OF FISHER ? S RIVER 

XIV. The association shall have 
power, (1) To provide for the general 
union of the churches; (2) To pre- 
serve inviolable a chain of commun- 
ion among the churches; (3) To give 
the churches all necessary advice in 
matters of difficulty; (4) To enquire 
into the cause why the churches fail 
at any time to represent themselves 
in the association; (5) To appoint 
any member or members, by and 
with his or their consent, to transact 
any business which it sees necessary; 
(6) To withdraw from any church 
in this union which shall violate 
the rules of this association, or. devi- 
ate from the orthodox principles of 
religion; (7) To admit any of our 
distant brethren into the association, 
as assistants, who may be present at 
the time of its sitting, if it shall 
think necessary; (8) To adjourn 
themselves to any future time and 
place which they may think conven- 
ient to the churches in this union. 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 15 
RULES OF DECORUM. 

1. The association shall be open- 
ed and closed with prayer. 

2. The moderator and clerk shall 
be chosen by the suffrage of the 
members present. 

3. Only one person shall speak 
at a time, who shall arise from his 
seat and address the moderator. 

4. The person thus speaking shall 
not be interrupted in his speech by 
any/ except the moderator, till he is 
done speaking. 

5. He shall strictly adhere to 
the subject, and in no w r ise reflect on 
the person who spoke before, so as to 
make remarks on his slips, failings 
or imperfections; but shall fairly 
state the case and matter, as near as 
he can, so as to convey his idea. 

6. No person shall abruptly break 
off, or absent himself from the asso- 
ciation, without leave obtained from 
it. 

7. No person shall rise and speak 



16 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

more than three times to one sub- 
ject, without liberty obtained from 
the association. 

8. No member of the association 
shall have liberty of laughing dur- 
ing the sitting of the same, nor of 
whispering in time of a public speech. 

9. No member of the association 
shall address another in any other 
appellation than that of brother. 

10. The moderator shall not in- 
terrupt any member in his speech, 
nor prohibit him from speaking till 
he gives his light on the subject, ex- 
cept he breaks the rules of this de- 
corum. 

11. The names of the several 
members of the association shall be 
enrolled by the clerk, and called o- 
ver as often as the association thinks 
proper. 

12. The moderator shall be enti- 
tled to the same privilege of speech 
as other members, provided the chair 
be filled. 



PEIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 17 

* 

13. Any member who shall wil- 
fully and knowingly break any of 
these rules shall be reproved by the 
association as it may think proper. 



$ 



MISSION SYSTEM OPPOSED. 



While it is not our purpose to 
enter into a detailed account of the 
division among the Baptists in 1830 
— 1835, yet we would say, "There 
was much opposition in this section 
to the system of Home and Foreign 
Missions, which was being practiced 
in Yadkin and the adjoining associa- 
tions, to which the term "Missionary 
System" is applied. The churches 
were so much opposed to the "new 
system" that they refused, not only 
to send contributions for Missionary 
purposes, but also refused to sit in 
conference with, or to fellowship 
those who did. 

The casual observer might infer 
from this that they were opposed to 
the spread of the gospel. This, how- 
ever, is not true: for they favored 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 19 

the spread of the gospel as much — 
if personal sacrifices on the part of 
the ministry is any evidence — as any 
people on earth. But their objection 
was that, if a compensation in dol- 
lars and cents is offered, and he who 
goes is sure of such compensation, 
there is not only danger, but great 
danger of men, who are not only not 
called of God to preach, but design- 
ing men who know nothing of the 
grace of God, going out under the 
title of Missionaries, and preaching- 
such doctrine as would not only dis- 
honor God, but would burden his 
people. The system of High Schools 
or Colleges for the preparation of 
young men for the ministry was also 
objected to strongly, on the ground 
that many might take the advantage 
of such opportunities, not for the 
truth's sake, but to benefit them- 
selves. 

Sunday Schools* as nurseries for 

* B. F. Riley in his history of the Baptist, in the Southern 



20 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

the church were also vigorously op- 
posed. In opposing these u new insti- 
tutions" as they styled them, the 
ministry of this body, or association 
of believers rather, went to such ex- 
tremities that the churches almost 
entirely left off helping their own 
pastors; and some of their members 
came to the belief that it was wrong 
to give to a preacher who was worth 
more than the giver, no matter what 
his sacrifices might be. Thus the 
ministers, few in number, and all 
poor men, had a hard struggle to 
serve their churches, obeying their 
heavenly calling to preach the word, 
and support their families, remem- 
bering the Scripture that says, "But 
if any provide not for his own, and 
especially for those of his own house, 
he hath denied the faith, and is 
worse than an infidel." — 1 Tim. 5:8. 
Yet in their hearts and minds, they, 

States, says, "The first Baptist Sunday School was held in 
Baltimore, in 1804; the second in Charleston, S. C, in 1816, and 
that the American S. S. Union was organized in 1824. 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 21 

if their words and works did not 
lie, felt that their greatest duty was 
to honor the cause of the Master who 
had called and sent them forth. The 
greatest theme of their preaching 
was the power of God in the salva- 
tion of sinners. They claimed that 
God was not dependent on any con- 
ditions, means, circumstances, or en- 
vironments for the preaching of the 
word; that if his work demanded an 
educated man he could call one, as 
he did Saul (Paul) of Tarsus; or if it 
demanded ignorant and unlearned 
men he could call them, as in the case 
of Peter and John; that he was not 
dependent on Schools of learning to 
tame the hearts of sinful men and 
women, but that he writes his laws 
in the hearts of men of his own will 
and pleasure. 



SUBSEQUENT MEETINGS. 



The association continued to 
meet at different places once each 
year until about the date 1848. See 
foot note on pages 19 and 20. 

In 1841, the church at Flower 
Gap sent delegates to the association, 
requesting to become a member of 
the body. The delegates were receiv- 
ed and seated, and the church admit- 
ted into the association. In 1844, 
the church at Fisher's Gap was re- 
ceived in like manner. 

In 1835, the association began its 
first correspondence. This was with 
New River Association. Abbott's 
Creek and Mayo, both older bodies 
than Fisher's River, were applied to, 
and they opened up a correspondence 
with the little body, the exact date 
not known to the writer. In the 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 23 

meantime a newly constituted church 
by the name of Flat Shoal was ad- 
mitted into the association. This 
church is located about four miles 
southwest of Danbury, Stokes Co., N. 
C, and now belongs to the Mayo As- 
sociation. 

On the 7th day of April, 1848 the 
little band of pilgrims, known as 
Fisher's River Primitive Baptist As- 
sociation, met at Round Peak meet- 
inghouse. The churches sending 
delegates to this association was as 
follows: Ararat two, Cody's Creek 
two, Deep Creek two, Fisher's River 
three, Fisher's Gap one, Flower Gap 
three, Franklin two, and State Road 
one, a total of sixteen delegates. 
They chose as a moderator Elder 
John Jones, of Ararat church, and 
James J. Speer, of Deep Creek 
church, as clerk. No corresponding 
or visiting brethren from sister asso- 
ciations reported, and very little 
business was transacted. They ad- 



24 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

journed after a two days session, to 
meet October 13, 1848.* 

On the 13th day of October, dele- 
gates from eleven churches met ac- 
cording to adjournment. Some new 
churches were received into their 
body. And several brethren from 
other associations or corresponding 
meetings reported and were seated 
in fellowship. They were: From 
New River, Elders Wm. Lawson, A. 
Ash worth and Samuel J. Lackey; 
From Abbott's Creek, Samuel Crav- 
en; From Mayo, Robert W. Hill. 
These Elders, seated with the breth- 
ren whose names appear in the fol- 
lowing statistical table, composed a 
strong body of Christians for this 
early date in this mountain region. 



* The old records prior to 1848, are in such condition we 
could not get the place of meeting; and much other informa- 
tion, for the same reason, cannot be had. 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 25 





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26 HISTOEY OF FISHEK's KIVER 

There were at this time 206 mem- 
bers in Fisher's River Association, 
represented by 20 of their number, 
and corresponding with Mayo, Ab- 
bott's Creek and New River associa- 
tions, through their able ministers, 
it seemed that they were competent 
of giving advice and answering ques- 
tions (this was all they claimed to 
have power to do) for the churches. 
At the request of the church at Deep 
Creek a presbytery was sent there to 
examine the qualifications of James 
J. Speer for the ministry. And to 
Flower Gap a presbytery was sent to 
examine the qualifications of Hugh 
Jones for the ministry. Correspon- 
dents were appointed to Mayo, New 
River and Abbott's Creek associa- 
tions. It will be remembered that 
there had been a rent in the church- 
es in regard to the "mission system," 
a few years prior to this time; and 
some who had joined the Missiona- 
ries, as they were called, desired to 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 27 

be numbered with the "Old Baptists/ 7 
and a question was raised as to the 
manner of receiving them. The as- 
sociation advised that the only prop- 
er mode was by experience and bap- 
tism. The association then adjourn- 
ed to meet at Cody's Creek on Fri- 
day before the first Sunday in 
April, 1848. 

The association met at Cody's 
Creek, April 6, 1849. Nine churches 
were represented by letters and dele- 
gates. Elder John Jones was chos- 
en to preside over the body, and 
Henry Steele as clerk. Very little 
business was done. The presbytery 
appointed to Deep Creek reported 
the ordination of James J. Speer as 
an Elder in that body. The pres- 
bytery appointed to Flower Gap re- 
ported that Hugh Jones was ordain- 
ed an Elder in that body. A pres- 
bytery was appointed, at the request 
of the church at Codv's Creek, to 
examine the call and qualifications 



28 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

of Nathan Alberty, and ordain him 
to the ministry, if found orthodox. 
The association then adjourned to 
meet with the same church on Fri- 
day before the third Sunday in 
October, 1849. 

On Oct. 19th, 1849, letters were 
received from twelve churches, and 
delegates from nine. Also corre- 
spondents from two associations, to 
wit: William Lawson and Samuel J. 
Lackey from Mayo, and David Con- 
ner from New River. Elder John 
Jones was again chosen to preside, 
and Henry Steele to serve as clerk. 
Elder Ashley Swain being present, 
from Abbott's Creek, was invited and 
seated in council. Some items of 
interest claimed attention this ses- 
sion. One was a presbytery report- 
ed the ordination of James Gallien 
as deacon in the church at Round 
Peak; another was the report of pres- 
bytery, to wit: Elders J. J. Speer and 
John Jones reported the ordination 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 29 

of Nathan Alberty as Eider in the 
church at Cody's creek; also the or- 
dination of William Davis as deacon 
in the church at Stuart's Creek; and 
Abram Lakey at Deep Creek, in 
Yadkin county. The ordination of 
an Elder and three deacons seemed 
to show that some life existed in the 
bounds of the association at that 

time. 

1850. 

On the 12th of April, nine church- 
es were represented by delegates 
meeting with the church at Fisher's 
River, four miles southeast of Dob- 
son, N. C. The churches represent- 
ed were Ararat, Cody's Creek, State 
Road, Fisher's River, Deep Creek, 
Flower Gap, Franklin, Stuart's Creek 
and Round Peak. Very little busi- 
ness was transacted at this time, ex- 
cept to appoint a committee to visit 
the churches that failed to send del- 
egates to the association. Elder 
John Jones was again chosen moder- 



30 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

ator, and Henry Steele clerk. 

On the 18th day of October, 1850, 
the association convened with the 
church at Flat Shoal, Stokes Co., N. 
C, and was composed of delegates 
representing nine churches, and 
brethren from corresponding associa- 
tions, as follows: Elder R. W. Hill 
from Mayo, Elders Daniel Conner 
and S. J. Lackey from New River, 
and brethren Samuel Craven and 
Eleaner Swain from Abbott's Creek. 
Elder John Jones was again made 
moderator, and Henry Steele clerk. 

A query was presented to this as- 
sociation, to wit: Would it be accord- 
ing to gospel order for the Primitive 
Baptists to fellowship any member 
among them who joins the Free Ma- 
sons, Odd Fellows, or Sons of Tem- 
perance? Answer. We have no fel- 
lowship with any member who joins 
those institutions. 

The committee appointed to visit 
Mitchell's River church reported her 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 31 

in a feeble condition, with the re- 
quest that the ministers visit her. 
This, with the ordinary routine of 
work, constituted the business of this 
session. 

1851 

On Coe's Creek, at Hutchin's 
School-house, in Surry(now Yadkin) 
Co., N. C, the association met with 
Deep Creek church, April 11, 1851. 

Delegates from eight churches were 
present, to wit: Flat Shoal, Stuart's 
Creek, Deep Creek, Fisher's River, 
Flower Gap, Cody's Creek, Ararat 
and State Road. No corresponding 
brethren were present and no busi- 
ness transacted, except to meet and 
adjourn to meet with the church at 
Franklin, on Friday before the 3rd 
Sunday in October, 1851. 

On the 11th day of October, 1851, 
delegates of eleven churches met at 
Franklin meetinghouse, seven miles 
from Dobson, Surry Co., N. C. 

The statistics from the different 



32 HISTORY OF FISHER ? S RIVER 

churches were sent in, showing that 
the churches were slowly increasing 
in numbers. A full count showed 
a total of 234 members. There were 
at this time six elders in the associa- 
tional district, to wit: John Jones, 
Hugh Jones, Erasmus Canter, Nath- 
an Alberty, Eligah Ramsey and J. 
J. Speer. Elders A. Swain and A. 
Peacock, of Abbott's Creek; Elder R. 
W. Hill, of Mayo; Elders William 
Lawson, J. C. Hubbard, S. J. Lackey 
and Daniel Conner, all of New River 
district, reported as correspondents, 
and were seated in council with the 
delegates. 

After the usual choosing of com- 
mittees and ministers for Saturday 
and Sunday, they adjourned to meet 
next day. 

Saturday morning a presbytery 
composed of Elders John Jones and 
J. J. Speer reported the ordination of 
John Hall to the office of deacon at 
Deep Creek church. 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 83 



There were some reports current 
that the church at State Road was 
holding members in disorder; and so 
the association appointed a commit- 
tee of seven to investigate the reports. 

Elder John Jones served as moder- 
ator, and James J. Speer as clerk. 

1852 

The association next met with the 
church at Swan Creek, in Yadkin 
Co., N. C, on the 9th day of April, 
1852. Only five churches were rep- 
resented, and no visiting elders were 
present. No business was done; and, 
with the same moderator and clerk, 
the)- adjourned. 

1853 

On April 8th, messengers from 
eight churches, with Elders Austin 
J. Cassell, of New River Association, 
and Samuel Arrington, of Mayo As- 
sociation, composed this association. 
Elder John Jones was again made 
moderator, and L. H. Southern clerk. 
Elders Cassell and Arrington served 



34 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

with Elder N. Alberty and the mod- 
erator as a Committee of Arrange- 
ments. The churches being in peace 
with each other, and nothing of im- 
portance claiming attention, the time 
was devoted to preaching. Elders 
A. J. Cassell, S. Arrington and John 
Jones occupied the pulpit on Sunday. 

1854 
On Friday before the second Sun- 
day in April, 1854, the following 
churches sent delegates to the asso- 
ciation, held with the church at 
Round Peak, Surry Co., N. C, to 
wit: Cody's Creek, Round Peak, 
Deep Creek, Franklin, Stuart's Creek 
Ararat, Fisher's Gap, Flower Gap 
and Fisher's River. There were no 
visitors nor correspondents from 
other associations. The committee 
appointed to State Road church re- 
ported them in peace. The associa- 
tion agreed to meet only once a year 
for awhile. Thus the work of the 
association ended, with John Jones 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 35 

moderator, and S. L. Fulk clerk. 

The Spring term of the association 
having been abolished, the associa- 
tion met on Friday before the third 
Sunday in October, in the same year, 
at Stuart's Creek meetinghouse, about 
two miles from the "Old Hollow, 7 ' 
now Mt. Airy, N. C. The correspon- 
dents present were: Elders G. W. 
McNeily, R. W. Hill and Samuel 
Arrington, from Mayo; Elders A. 
J. Cassell, Daniel Conner, James 
Thompson and S. J. Lackey from 
New River; Elder A. Peacock and 
brother S. Craven, from Abbott's 
Creek. Correspondents were ap- 
pointed as follows: To Mayo, Elders 
J. Jones, H. Jones and H. Steele, 
with several private brethren; To 
New River, Elders J. Jones, H. Jones 
and H. Steele; To Abbott's Creek, 
Elders H. Steele, N. Alberty and J. 
Jones. The association also passed 
a resolution to open up a correspon- 
dence with the Apostolic Baptist, at 



38 HISTORY OF FISHER^ RIVER 

Montville, Conn. This was done at 
the request of one brother Gay. Al- 
so, we notice the agreement of the 
association that a Circular Letter be 
prepared, and that E. Canter prepare 
the same. 

1855 
Ararat church-house, about four 
miles northwest of Pilot Mountain, 
was the scene of the next meeting of 
the association, and which occurred 
the 19th day of October, 1855. The 
churches, at Flower Gap, Franklin, 
Flat Shoal, Fisher's River, Stuart's 
Creek, Deep Creek, Ararat, Round 
Peak and Cody's Creek, sent dele- 
gates, and State Road sent a letter; 
but Swan Creek and Fisher's Gap 
failed to represent themselves in the 
association. Correspondents were re- 
ceived from Mayo, New River, and 
Abott's Creek. Elders Geo. W. Mc- 
Neily, Robert W. Hill, James Hill 
and Samuel J. Arrington from Mayo, 
Elders A. J. Cassell, S. J. Lackey 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 37 

and Claibourn Plasters, from New 
River; and A. Peacock, from Abbott's 
Creek, with several lay members 
composed the corresponding delega- 
tions. Elder John Jones was ap- 
pointed moderator, and Samuel L. 
Fulk clerk. At the request of the 
church at Flat Shoal, Elders John 
Jones, Hugh Jones, E. Canter and 
N. Alberty were appointed as a pres- 
bytery to attend said church and or- 
dain a deacon; also, by request of 
the church at Flower Gap, the same 
elders were appointed for a like 
purpose. S. L. Fulk was appointed 
to prepare a Circular Letter. Three 
hundred minutes were ordered to be 
printed, and $8.66 i were sent in by 
the churches to pay for the same. 
It should be noted here, that, at 
each of these associations, about 
three sermons were preached each 
day. The preachers were chosen by 
the suffrage of the delegates, and all 
the officers of the association, even 



38 HISTORY OF FISHERY RIVER 

the committees, were chosen in like 
manner. It should also be noted 
that all the preaching was both im- 
promptu and extemporaneous, as 
none of the preachers ever prepare 
or study sermons, a feature very 
characteristic of these preachers. 
1856 
According to previous arrange- 
ments, the delegates from ten church- 
es met on the first day of August, 
1856, at Cody's Creek meetinghouse, 
Surry Co., N. C, as follows: From 
Ararat, Elders J. Jones and E. Can- 
ter, also, brethren E. Denny and R. 
R. Jones; Fisher's River, D. Hodges; 
Cody's Creek, Elder N. Alberty, M. 
Nichelson and James Snow; Fisher's 
Gap, Elder Eligah Ramey; Franklin, 
S. L. Fulk and F. B. Riggan; Deep 
Creek, A. B. Lakey; Stuart's Creek, 
R. D. R. Moss; Round Peak, James 
Galyean; State Road, Jesse Mc- 
Kaughan; Flower Gap, Elder Hugh 
Jones. Flat Shoal and Swan Creek 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 39 

failed to send either letters or dele- 
gates. Correspondents were received 
as follows: From New River, Elders 
D. Conner, C. Plaster and W. Mo- 
ran. This was the only association 
that sent correspondents. Elder J. 
Jones was again chosen to preside, 
and S. L. Fulp to record the diliber- 
ations. Preachers were selected for 
the stand and committees chosen, etc. 
The presbyteries appointed to Flat 
Shoal and Flower Gap failed to at- 
tend, and were reappointed. Corre- 
spondents were appointed to sister as- 
sociations, to wit: New River, Ab- 
bott's Creek and Mayo. As nothing 
had been heard from the Apostolic 
Baptists in Conn., no further effort 
was made to correspond with them. 
The Circular Letter, as written by 
S. L. Fulp, was ordered to be attach- 
ed to the minutes; and three hun- 
dred copies of the minutes were or- 
dered to be printed. The work of 
the body being completed, the as- 



40 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

soeiation adjourned to meet with the 
church at Fisher's River meeting- 
house, about four miles northeast of 
Pobson, which they did on Friday 
before the fourth Sunday in Septem- 
ber, 1857. 

1857 

Delegates were present from only 
nine churches. Franklin, Fisher's 
Cap and Swan Creek were not rep- 
resented. Elders R, W. Hill and 
Levi I. Bodenheimer, from Mayo; 
and Elders A. J. Cassell and Daniel 
Conner, from New River, were seat- 
ed as correspondents. 

Elder John Jones was again chos- 
en to preside, and S. L. Fulk clerk. 

The presbytery had again failed to 
attend the request of the church at 
Flat Shoal, also at Flower Gap, and 
were a second time reappointed. 
Preachers were chosen for the ensue- 
ing days as follows: Elders D. Con- 
ner, J. Jones and E. Canter, for Sat- 
urday; and Elders A. J. Cassell, Levi 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 41 

I. Bodenheimer and R. W. Hill, for 
Sunday. Elders Nathan Alberty 
and J. McKaughan were appointed 
to visit the church at Swan Creek 
and report the reason of her failure 
to attend or represent herself in the 
association. $9. 27 i was contributed 
to pay for printing, and three hun- 
dred copies of the minutes were or- 
dered to be printed. Thus closing 
the business of the association, the}^ 
adjourned to meet w^ith the church 
at Flat Shoal, in the Co. of Stokes, 
about five miles southwest of 
Danbury, which they did on the 
24th day of September, 1858. 

1858 
Delegates representing eleven 
churches were present and seated in 
council, as follows: Stuart's Creek, 
R. D. R. Moss and W. L. Minter; 
Fisher's River, D. Hodges; Cody's 
Creek, Nathan Alberty and Moses 
Pilson; Flat Shoal, J. Hicks and 
James George; Round Peak, James 



42 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

Gal yean; State Road, Jesse Mo 
Kaughan; Deep Creek, John Tate 
and A. B. Lakey; Ararat, Elder John 
Jones, Edmond Denny and W. F. 
Trogdon; Flower Gap, Elder Hugh 
Jones; Franklin, A. Dicken and C. 
Gentry; Tom's Creek, J. A. Flippin 
and C. Farris. Fisher's Gap and 
Swan Creek each failed to send eith- 
er letter or delegates. Correspon- 
dents were received and seated as 
follows: From Mayo, Elder R. W. 
Hill; From Abbott's Creek, Duke 
Price, Samuel Craven and Geo. Beck; 
From Smith's River, Elders S. J. 
Lackey and A. J. Cassell. Elders 
Cassell and Lackey formerly belong- 
ed to New River; but in the fall of 
1857, or the Spring of 1858 — we 
have failed to get the exact date — 
Smith's River w r as formed or organ- 
ized, and some of the churches and 
elders which had been in the New 
River District, became members of 
the Smith's River District. The first 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 43 

business, after seating all the corre- 
spondents, was the reception of a 
newly constituted church (Tom's 
Creek) that had sent a petition and 
delegates. The delegates were seat- 
ed, the moderator giving them the 
right hand of fellowship. 

Elder John Jones w r as again cho- 
sen moderator, and Moses Pilson 
clerk. Elders A. J. Cassell, S. J. 
Lackey and Nathan Alberty were 
made a committee to act with the 
moderator and clerk, in arranging 
business for the association. After 
choosing Elders Hugh Jones, Na- 
than Alberty and Giles Martin, to 
preach on Saturday; and Elders R. W. 
Hill, A. J. Cassell and S. J. Lackey 
to preach on Sunday, the association 
adjourned to meet on Saturday. 

The custom of the association was 
to meet and organize on Friday. 
Then select preachers to preach 
during the meeting, and so forth. 
But all the business was done on 



44 HISTORY OF FISBER'S RIVEK 

Saturday. We had not noted this 
before, nor will we in the future. 
Each session will be considered un- 
der one general rule or custom. 

The next business of the associa- 
tion was to call the roll of messen- 
gers and correspondents. This, also, 
is a rule which we had not hereto- 
fore mentioned, and will, perhaps, 
mention it no more, as it was al- 
ways done at each session. They 
also read the Rules of Decorum, a 
copy of which appears on page 15 of 
this little volume. Another custom 
we had not mentioned, and, perhaps, 
will not again mention, was: The 
brethren, appointed as correspon- 
dents to visit sister associations, 
were called upon to make a report 
of their visits. This was done at 
this meeting, and at all other meet- 
ings of the association. The pres- 
byteries, which had been appointed 
so often, reported that they had at- 
tended the church at Flower Gap 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 45 

and had ordained F. M. McCraw to 
the office of deacon; but that they 
had failed to attend at Flat Shoal. 
This request seemes to have been 
withdrawn, as no reappointment was 
made. The committee to Swan 
Creek reported that said church was 
without a pastor, but wished to re- 
main a member of the association. 
The Circular Letter was ordered to 
be printed, and Elder Nathan Alber- 
ty was ordered to prepare the next. 
Correspondents were appointed to 
Mayo, Smith's River and Abbott's 
Creek. Three hundred copies of 
minutes were ordered printed, and 
$11.20 contributed to pay for same. 
After agreeing to meet with the 
church at Deep Creek, in Yadkin 
Co., the association adjourned. 

1859 

On the 23rd day of September, 

1859, delegates representing their 

different churches met with the 

church at Deep Creek, in Yadkin 



46 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

Co., N. C. The church, at Franklin, 
Round Peak, Fisher's Gap and Swan 
Creek, sent no delegates. The asso- 
ciation seated correspondents as fol- 
lows: From Mayo, Elders R. W. Hill 
and Levi I. Bodenheimer; from 
Smith's River, Elder S. J. Lackey, 
with minutes; from Abbott's Creek, 
Samuel Craven; and, also, received 
a file of minutes from both Kehukee 
and Little River Associations, and 
seated Elder Wm. Burns, from 
Country Line Association. 

Elder John Jones was again cho- 
sen moderator, and Moses Pilson 
was made clerk. After reading, as 
usual, the Rules of Decorum, calling 
the roll, etc., a presbytery of Elders 
was appointed to attend and fill the 
request from each of four churches, 
to wit: Stuart's Creek, Cody's Creek, 
Tom's Creek and State Road. Then, 
after appointing correspondents to 
Abbott's Creek, Mayo and Smith's 
River, and ordering the clerk to 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 47 

have 350 copies of minutes printed, 
they adjourned to meet with the 
church at Tom's Creek, in Surry 
Co., N. f\", ten miles north of Pilot 
Mountain. 

1860 
Delegates, with letters, represent- 
ing twelve churches (Swan Creek 
not represented) met with the church 
above mentioned, on September 21, 
1860, and seated as correspondents 
Elders R. W. Hill and S. Arrington, 
from Mayo; Elders Joshua Adams, 
S. J. Lackey, A. J. Cassell and C. 
Plaster, from Smith's River; and 
Elder Wm. Lawson from New River. 
The same moderator and clerk were 
chosen. The presbyteries reported 
the ordination of Charles Farris, as 
deacon at Tom's Creek; Moses Pil- 
son, as deacon at Cody's Creek; and 
that brother McKaughan having 
died, they did not attend the church 
at State Road. They were reappoint- 
ed to Stuart's Creek. 



48 HISTORY OF FISHER S RIVER 

For some years before this time, 
Ave have been unable to ascertain the 
exact number of members; but, at 
this date, there were about 235 mem- 
bers. 

After the usual appointing of cor- 
respondents, etc., the association a- 
greeing to meet with the church at 
Franklin, adjourned. 

1861 

At the place where the church at 
Franklin usually worshiped, dele- 
gates representing twelve churches 
met, on the 20th day of Sept., 1861. 
Swan Creek again failed to send eith- 
er letter or delegates. They seated 
correspondents from Smith's River 
and Abbott's Creek, and received a 
file of minutes from Mayo. Elder 
John Jones and Moses Pilson were 
made moderator and clerk. 

The only important business was 
responding to the request of the 
church at Franklin, by appointing 
a presbytery of Elders to visit said 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 49 

(<lj arch, examine, and, if found or- 
thodox, set apart or ordain T. J. 
Lawson to the work of the ministry. 
And, after the usual appointing of 
correspondents to Abbott's Creek, 
Mayo, Smith's River and New Riv- 
er, the association adjourned to meet 
with the church at Swan Creek 
meetinghouse, in Yadkin Co., N. C. 



The association met as preappoint- 
ed, on the 26th day of September, 
1862. Only seven churches were 
represented. Six failing to send 
delegates. 

The presbytery appointed to 
Franklin had failed to attend, and 
was reappointed. 

The next session of the association 
was held with the church at State 
Road, near the Virginia and North 
Carolina line. 

1863-4 

This association convened on the 
25th day of September, 1863, and 



50 HISTORY OF FISIIErVrJVEK 

was composed of only a few dele- 
gates and ministers. This was the 
second year of the Civil War. How- 
ever , the presbytery appointed to 
Franklin reported that they attend- 
ed and ordained T. J. Lawson as an 
elder in said body. Another pres- 
bytery was appointed by the request 
of the same church for the purpose of 
ordaining a deacon in said church. 

With the same moderator but 
with Drewry Hodge as clerk, they 
adjourned to meet with the church 
at Flower Gap, in Carroll Co., Va. 

They met at Flower Gap, some- 
time in Sept., 1864; but this meeting 
was also small on account of the 
Civil War which was yet raging. 

1865 

On the 22nd day of September, 
1865, and — peace having been made 
between the Union and Confederate 
States — delegates representing twelve 
churches assembled with the church 
at Fisher's Gap. Elder John Jones 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 51 

was moderator, and M. Pilson was 
clerk. The ordination of Calvin 
Gentry, at Franklin, and Isaac Ed- 
wards, at Flower Gap, to the office 
of deacon in their respective bodies 
was reported. Correspondents to 
the associations — New River, Smith's 
River, Mayo and Abbott's Creek 
were appointed; and then they ad- 
journed to meet with the church at 
Round Peak, Surry Co., N. C. 

1866 
The association met according to 
adjournment, Sept. 21, 1866. Twelve 
churches sent delegates. Thirty-one 
members had been added, eighteen 
of which were at Tom's Creek. Cor- 
respondents from New River and 
Smith's River associations were 
seated. No others reported. Very 
little business was done, except to 
appoint a presbytery to attend a re- 
quest of the church at Tom's Creek. 
Elder J. Jones again moderator, and 
M. Pilson clerk. 



52 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

1867 ' * 

On the 27th day of October, 1867, 
the association met at Stuart's Creek 7 
near Mt. Airy, Surry Co., N. C. 

Only eleven churches now consti- 
tuted the association. Swan Creek, 
in Yadkin Co., N. C, had dissolved; 
and, as is supposed, the members 
were added to the church at Deep 
Creek, in the same county. The 
exact date of the dissolution is not 
known to us. 

There had been a great revival at 
Tom's Creek, 67 members having 
been added to the church the past 
year, making 85 new members with- 
in the past two years. 

Another change might have been 
noted sooner. It was this: The 
church at Flat Shoal was annexed 
to Mayo Association, about the date 
of 1863. At this association was a 
large delegation of corresponding 
brethren. Smith's River, New Riv- 
er and Mayo associations each send- 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 53 

ing good delegations. We here note 
some of the elders. A. J. Cassell, C. 
Plaster, William Moran, A. Mt>ran 
R. W. Hill, T. S. Ring and J. M. 
Blancett. There was but little bus- 
iness to engage the body, except to 
appoint a presbytery to attend the 
request of the church at Ararat; and 
to reappoint a presbytery to Tom's 
Creek, the former appointees having 
failed to attend. These presbyteries 
were requested for the ordination of 
deacotis. 

■ 1868 : 
The association convened with the 
church at Ararat meetinghouse, a- 
bout one mile southwest of the Doug- 
las ford across the Ararat River. 
The meeting occurred on the 10th 
day of April, 1868. It was previ- 
ously agreed to hold two sessions 
each year; one in April, and the oth- 
er in October. At this meeting ten 
churches were represented. The 
correspondents, few in number, re- 



54 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

ported and were seated. The pres- 
bytery, which had been called by 
the church at Tom's Creek, met two 
miles east of Pilot Mountain, and 
organized a church (of members 
mostly from Tom's Creek), and or- 
dained James George and P. W. 
Lawrence to the office of deacon. 
The new body assumed the name of 
the church at Volunteer. Thus we 
have the first line of the history of 
said church. 

The new church at Volunteer was 
blessed with the next meeting of the 
association, which occurred on the 
23rd day of October, 1868. The 
dozen churches, now composing the 
association, contained 350 members. 
Tom's Creek had given to Volunteer 
30 members, and had thirteen ad- 
ditions within the last year, making 
98 additions to Tom's Creek in two 
and one-half years. At this meeting 
a large number of correspondents 
were received from the sister associa- 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 55 



tions with which this association 
was in correspondence. All was 
peace and love. The brotherhood 
of those days can and will recall 
the pleasant associations at this 
meeting. 

The ordination of F. R. Stone and 
Edmund Denny to the office of 
deacon, at Ararat, was reported. Al- 
so, a presbytery was called and ap- 
pointed to the church at Tom's 
Creek. 

With Elder J. Jones and Moses 
Pilson yet serving as moderator and 
clerk, the association adjourned to 
meet with the church at Cody's 
Creek, which they did Apr. 9th, 1869. 

1869 

The twelve churches, now com- 
posing the body, were joined by the 
church at Rock Spring, sending del- 
egates and a petition for reception. 
No correspondents were present. 
The ordination of Henderson Cain 
to the office of elder, and Peterson 



56 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVEF? 

Slate to the office of deacon, was 
reported from Tom's Creek. And a 
presbytery was appointed to attend 
at Flower Gap. The moderator was 
John . I ones, and the clerk was Moses 
Pilson. 

Oil the 22nd day of October, in 
the same year, the association assem- 
bled with the church, at Fisher's .Oliv- 
er .meetinghouse. Twelve churches 
were represented. Rock Spring 
sent no delegates or letter. A large 
number of corresponding brethren 
were presen t.. The ordination of 
William B. Gates to the office of 
elder at Flower Gap church was re- 
ported; and a presbytery of Elders 
was appointed to fill a request from 
each of the following churches, to 
wit: Ararat, Tom's Creek and Cody's 
Creek. After appointing corre- 
spondents to Mayo, New River, 
Smith's Riyer and Abbott's Creek 
Associations, they adjourned to meet 
with the church at Deep Creek, 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 57 

two miles north of Eastbend, Yad- 
kin Co... N. C. 

1870 

At this meeting, which occurred 
on the 8th day of April, 1870, twelve 
churches were represented, but Rock 
Spring was again absent. 

The presbytery appointed to Ar- 
arat reported the ordination of Mo- 
ses G. Harbour, Archilles M. Denny, 
and Gabriel Denny to the office of 
elder. Also the ordination of Jos- 
eph E. Atkinson, as elder at Tom's 
Creek. The ordination of Henry J. 
Wood, as deacon at Cody's Creek, was 
likewise reported. 

We also note here the beginning 
of a trouble. About the close of the 
Civil War some members of the 
church had joined a secret order 
called "Red Strings," a party of 
which the writer knows nothing, it 
being "secret." Some of the mem- 
bers protested against it. The mat- 
ter had been before the association 



58 HISTORY OF FISHER ? S RIVER 

at a previous session, and the asso- 
ciation as a body declared, "We hold 
no fellowship with any secret or- 
ganization/ 7 and advised the church- 
es composing the body to deal with 
members belonging to secret orders 
as transgressors; and at this meet- 
ing a request was made that the 
churches report whether any persons 
belonging to such orders were held 
in fellowship. The next meeting 
was to be with the church at Tom's 
Creek, and to commence on the 21st 
day of October, 1870: Moses Pilson 
was still acting as secretary, and El- 
der John Jones as moderator. 

We also note quite an ingathering 
of members at Flower Gap, just pre- 
vious to the last assembling of this 
body. 

On the 21st day of October, 1870, 
delegates representing twelve church- 
es met with corresponding brethren 
from mayo, New River and Smith's 
River Associations at Tom's Creek 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 59 

church-house. An increase in the 
number of members in nearly all the 
churches was reported; and although 
the increase in each church was 
small; yet it amounted in all to 
33 members. All appeared in peace, 
but with Rock Spring still unheard 
from. 

The matter of "Secret Orders" had 
caused very little trouble up to this 
time. However, there were three 
churches that had made no report 
on the matter. 

1871 

The next meeting of the body was 
with the church at Franklin, April 
7, 1871, when delegates from twelve 
churches met with correspondents 
from New River and Mayo Associa 
tions. The ordination of Harden 
Hanes, as deacon in the church at 
State Road, was reported. The mat- 
ter of "Secret Orders' 7 had been ad- 
justed satisfactorily, and all the 
churches manifested a healthy con- 



60 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

dition, except Rock Spring which, 
as yet, had not been heard from. 

The fall term of the association 
was held at State Road, and conven- 
ed Oct, 20, 1871. A few delegates 
from all the churches, except Rock 
Spring was present. Smith's River 
was the only association that sent 
correspondents. An addition of 48 
members during the past year was 
reported from all the churches, 
Deep Creek and Flower Gap report- 
ing 13 and 14 respectively. Eleven 
members had died during the pre- 
vious year. And the membership, 
though only 445 in number, was 
active in their devotions, and in 
sending corresponding brethren to 
the four associations nearest them, 
as often as convenient. And at this 
session they agreed to take up cor- 
respondence with Kehukee and Lit- 
tle River Associations by minutes. 
These associations being in the east- 
ern part of North Carolina, the 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. ()1 

brethren did not wish to make the 
distance in person, so they exchang- 
ed minutes with them. Elder John 
Jones was still serving as moderator, 
and Moses Pilson as clerk. 

1872 

The spring session was held with 
the church at Flower Gap, April 12, 
1872. The ordination of B. F. Wood 
and Wm. T. Lewis to the office of 
deacon at Fisher's River, and H. 
Herring and S. Gill to the same 
office, in the church at Stuart's 
Creek, was reported. 

The resolution passed in 1869, re- 
garding "Secret Orders," was made a 
part of the Constitution, and read: 
"We hold no fellowship with 'Secret 
Orders.'" 

After the usual appointing of cor- 
respondents, the association adjourn- 
ed. 

A full delegation representing all 
the churches (thirteen in number) 
assembled with the church at Fisher's 



62 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

(lap, on the 25th day of October, 
1872. A small increase of members 
was reported. Correspondents from 
Mayo, New River and Smith's Riv- 
er were received. No business of 
interest called the attention of the 
body, and a general condition of love 
and peace was manifested. 

1873 

The next session was held with 
the church at Round Peak. All the 
churches were again represented. In 
the absence of Elder John Jones, 
Elder Hugh Jones was chosen to 
preside. Smith's River and New 
River Associations corresponded by 
delegates. The ordination of Jacob 
Lowe and Bennett Galean to the 
office of deacon, in the church at 
Fisher's Gap, was reported. A pres- 
bytery was appointed to attend at 
White Oak Spring, near Brown's 
Factory, and constitute anew church 
there, if found expedient. 

The association met at the place 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 63 

where the new body had been con- 
stituted, and received the new church 
by the name of White Oak Spring. 
All the other churches, except Tom's 
Creek, sent delegates. New River, 
Mayo and Abbott's Creek associa- 
tions w r ere represented by correspond- 
ing delegates. The association ap- 
pointed correspondents to New Riv- 
er, Smith's River, Abbott's Creek 
and Mayo Associations; and sent 
minutes to Kehukee and Little Riv- 
er Associations. 

1874 
The next session was held with 
the church at Stuart's Creek. All 
the churches except Deep Creek sent 
delegates. Also a newly constituted 
church, located on top of the Blue 
Ridge, in Virginia, one and one-half 
miles east of Fancy Gap, and called 
by the name of Elk Spur, was re- 
ceived and their delegates seated as 
a part of the body. Correspondents 
from Mayo and New River Associa- 



64 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

tions were seated in fellowship. The 
ordination of James D. Draughn, as 
elder at Stuart's Creek church was 
reported. 

The next session, held wit h 
the church at Ararat, on the 23rd 
day of October, 1874, was the meet- 
ing of delegates representing all the 
churches, 15 in number, and corre- 
sponding delegates from all four of 
the bodies with which correspond- 
ence had been carried on. Elder 
John Jones and Moses Pilson were 
again chosen moderator and clerk. 
A steady, but small increase in mem- 
bers was reported by the churches. 
A membership numbering just 500 
was given in the statistics. The 
ordination of H. Hawks, to the office 
of deacon in the church at Flower 
Gap, was reported. Correspondents 
were sent to the four corresponding 
associations, and minutes to Kehukee 
and Little River. 

The following is a list of the min- 




ELDER JAMES D. DRAUGHN, MEMBER OF 
THE COMMITTEE ON HISTORY, 

WHITE PLAINS, N. C. 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 65 

isters in the association: John Jones, 
Hugh Jones, Isaac Edwards, Nathan 
Alberty. T. J. Lawson, Henderson 
Cain, Alexander Moran, John Mo- 
ran, Joseph E. Atkinson, Wm. B. 
Gates, Robert Welbourn, M. G. Har- 
bour, A. M. Denny, G. Denny and 
James D. Draughn. 

1875 

The next session was held at White 
Oak Spring, April 23, 1875. All 
the churches sent a full delegation. 
The ordination of Cornelius York 
and Enox York to the office of dea- 
con, in the church at Rock Spring, 
was reported. The churches, all in 
peace, were requested to fast and 
hold prayer on the 4th day of the 
following July, it being Sunday; and 
sister associations were requested to 
unite in the same. 

Elk Spur was the scene of the next 
meeting, which occurred on the 22nd 
day of October, 1875. All the 
churches, except State Road and 



66 HISTORY OF FISHERY RIVER 

Stuart's Creek, sent delegates. A 
large correspondence was present; 
also, minutes were received from Ke- 
hukee and Little River associations. 
Very few additions to the churches 
were reported; but the churches were 
in peace. Very little business was 
done, except the usual routine of 
appointing correspondents, etc. 

1876 

The next session was held on the 
21st day of April, 1876. All the 
churches sending delegates, except 
State Road. Correspondents from 
New River, Smith's River, Mayo and 
Abbott's Creek were present and 
participated in the services. 

Much grief was caused at this 
meeting by the announcement of the 
death of the much beloved Elder 
John Jones, under whose watchcare 
the association had experienced 
much success, peace, joy and love. 

Elder Hugh Jones was selected to 
take the place of Elder John Jones 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 67 

as moderator. Moses Pilson was 
still clerk. 

The ordination of A. C. Woodruff 
to the office of elder, in the church at 
Franklin, was reported. 

The next meeting was with the 
church at Cody's Creek, on the 20th 
day of October, 1876. Round Peak 
was the only church failing to send 
delegates. Quite a large delegation 
was present. There was also a large 
number of correspondents present, 
and minutes from Kehukee and Lit- 
tle River were received. 

The ordination of William Golding 
to the office of deacon, in the church 
at Fisher's Gap, was reported. 

1877 

Delegates representing each of the 
fifteen churches composing the asso- 
ciation met with the church at Fish- 
er's River, on the 20th day of April, 
1877. Only a few corresponding 
brethren were present. 

Elder M. G. Harbour was chosen 



68 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

moderator, and Elder A. M. Denny 
clerk. 

Previous to this time, an effort 
had been made tobring about a un- 
ion between Fisher's River and the 
Mountain Associations; but had, as 
yet, been a failure. At this session 
this body appointed a delegation to 
confer with the Mountain Associa- 
tion and settle all impending diffi- 
culties. The committee was com- 
posed of Elders H. Cain, G. Denny, 
A. Moran, T. J. Lawson, M. G. Har- 
bour, H. Jones, N. Alberty, A. C. 
Woodruff and J. E. Atkinson, with 
layrnembers F. M. McCraw, C. B. 
Denny, Wm. Golding, H. C. Booker 
and C. Blackburn. Until this time 
the association had known but little 
trouble. The membership now num- 
bered more than five hundred. The 
churches were all in peace. Love 
seemed to be the theme of each mem- 
ber. But this is what is often called 
a lull before a storm. And follow- 




ELDER M. G. HARBOUR, MODERATOR OF 
THE ASSOCIATION FOR TWENTY- 
SEVEN YEARS, AND A MEMBER OF 
THE COMMITTEE ON HISTORY. 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 69 

ing this decade of prosperity was a 
decade of adversity in which the 
strong were made to weep, and the 
wise were made to wander. 

The next ten years will be treated 
as a whole, and the results will be 
given without entering into detail. 

The above committee was to meet 
with a committee from the Mountain 
and the New River Associations on 
Thursday, April 24th, 1878, at Tom's 
Creek meetinghouse. The purpose 
of the meeting, as before mentioned, 
was to affect a correspondence be- 
tween the Mountain and Fisher's 
River Associations. 




70 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 



TEN YEARS OF TROUBLE. 
1877—1887 

We are now entering what may be 
well termed "Ten years of trouble/' 
On the 26th day of October, 1877, 
the association, with a full represen- 
tation, being in conference at Deep 
Creek church, in Yadkin Co., N. C, 
had learned that their effort, through 
their committee, to adjust the mat- 
ter of correspondence w i t h the 
Mountain Association was a failure. 
It will here be noted that the Mount- 
ain and New River Associations were 
in full correspondence with each oth- 
er, and had been more or less ever 
since 1818; (See Hassell's Church His- 
tory, page 922) and that Fisher's 
River and New River had been in 
direct correspondence ever since 1835, 
or from about the time that Fisher's 
River was organized. This being the 
case, there was the greater induce- 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 71 

ment for the correspondence between 
the Mountain and Fisher's River As- 
sociations. There seemed to be no 
insincerity in the matter on the part 
of any one. 

At the meeting of the association 
at its regular spring term, at Tom's 
Creek, on the 25th day of April, 1878, 
the ordination of J. M. Jones and T. 
R. Hall to the office of deacon, in 
Deep Creek church; also the ordina- 
tion of Abner Gardner to the office of 
elder in the church at Elk Spur, and 
Calvin Blackburn to the office of eld- 
er, in the church at Flower Gap, was 
reported. 

The report of the committee, ap- 
pointed to meet Thursday 24th, dis- 
closed the fact that no correspond- 
ence had been agreed upon. Two of 
the churches of Fisher's River, to wit: 
Fisher's Gap and Franklin were hold- 
ing communion with members of the 
Mountain Association; and as they 
persisted in so doing, and the associ- 



72 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

ation considering it disorder, both 
churches were dropped from the fel- 
lowship of the body. New River 

was also notified that the correspond- 
ence with her would end, unless she 
dropped the Mountain. This New 
River refused to do. So, at the fol- 
lowing session, which convened at 
Flower Gap, October 25th, 1878, the 
association passed the following reso- 
lution: 

"Although we acknowledge the 
New River Association to be a Christ- 
ian body, yet, in consequence of her 
being in correspondence with the 
Mountain Association, which we be- 
lieve to be an unorthodox body, not 
strictly adhering to the faith and 
practice of the Primitive Baptist, in- 
dulging in protracted meetings and 
other unlawful defects, not approved 
by us, we drop correspondence for 
the time present." 

The association also advised the re- 
maining churches to deal with such 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 73 

members as might correspond in a 
conflicting manner. The reader, 
who may be blest to know any thing 
of the love existing among God's 
people, will agree with the writer 
that these w r ere perilous times. Here 
was an aged body of orthodox Chris- 
tians debarred from the fellowship or 
communion Avith another body, who 
themselves own them as such. Yet 
nothing wrong was intended. 

Another great trouble arose from 
this breaking of correspondence. 
Some members of a church would be- 
lieve the Mountain District, or Asso- 
ciation to be orthodox, while others 
of the same church, perhaps, would 
take the opposite view of the matter; 
and even churches, themselves, be- 
came so envolved in the controversy, 
that members of one church would 
leave their home church and join an- 
other in a different association, hop- 
ing, by so doing, to set themselves 
in order. We remember one instance 



74 HISTORY OF FISHER ? S RIVER 

— and there may have been others — 
where the parties thus changing their 
membership were re-baptized. That 
State Road church had chosen a mod- 
erator or pastor from the Mountain 
Association was reported to the Asso- 
ciation in conference at Round Peak, 
April 25, 1879. Accordingly fellow- 
ship was withdrawn from her for the 
present. Stuart's Creek church was 
also called in question as to her loy- 
alty to the association, she having 
chosen a moderator from the New 
River District. At the next session 
of the association, which was with 
the church at Ararat, Oct. 24, 1879, 
Rock Spring church refused to rep- 
resent herself and shared the same 
fate. 

The next session of the association 
was April 23, 1880, at White Oak 
Spring, at which time and place the 
ordination of A. M. Branscome to 
the office of elder, and G. Hawks to 
the office of deacon, in the church at 



FBTM1TIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 75 

Elk Spur, was reported. 

October 22, 1880, the association 
met, but very little or no business 
was done, except to appoint corre- 
spondents to each of the associations 
with which the body was correspond- 
ing. 

At the following session of the as- 
sociation which was held at Volun- 
teer, April 22, 1881. There was ver- 
y little business done, except the us- 
ual routine work. 

Cody's Creek was honored with 
the next meeting of the association, 
Oct. 21, 1881. At this meeting Eld. 
M. G. Harbour reported that he had 
visited Mayo as a correspondent, in 
the preceeding May; and finding cor- 
respondents there from New River, 
he was not willing to sit with them; 
and as Mayo refused to decide be- 
tween the two (Fisher's River and 
New River), by consent it was agreed 
to withhold correspondence for 12 
months. We also note here that the 



76 HISTORY OF FISHER^ RIVER 

ordination of John Nunn to the office 
of elder, at Tom's Creek, was re- 
ported to the association. We fur- 
ther note here that at this meeting a 
door was proclaimed open to any and 
all churches, or members who had 
departed, to return and give satisfac- 
tory evidence of their loyalty to the 
original faith and practice of the 
Primitive Baptists. 

The next session was held with 
the church at Fisher's River, on the 
21st day of April, 1882. The ordina- 
tion of Wm, Golding to the office of 
deacon, in the church at Round Peak, 
was reported. 

Two letters were presented from the 
church at Ararat. The minority was 
received and the majority rejected 
after some debate on the matter. 

Deep Creek church was next to en- 
tertain the association. This meet- 
ing occurred on Oct. 20, 1882. At 
this meeting a committee of six, to 
wit: Elders M. G. Harbour, J. Nunn, 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 77 

C. Blackburn and A. Gardner, with 
lay members T. R. Hall and J. M. 
Jones was appointed to confer with a 
committee from New River, the time 
and place of meeting to be at Elk 
Spur, Nov. 22, 1882." 

The next session of the association 
was held with the church at Tom's 
Creek, April 20, 1883. The report 
of the committee appointed to meet 
with the committee from New River 
at Elk Spur, disclosed the following 
agreement: 

"After a general interview agreed 
to report to our respective associa- 
tions that we think that each associ- 
ation should advise churches and 
members in their bounds, without 
letters or certificates of dismission 
from their churches or associations 
from whence they came, to return 
and make reconciliation. This done 
in Committee and signed, 

M. G. HARBOUR, Mod. 
ISAAC WEBB, Clerk. 



78 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

After the report was read, it was 
duly ratified by the association. 

At the next session of the associ- 
ation, which was held with the church 
at Flower Gap, Oct. 26, 1883, in ad- 
dition to corresponding brethren 
from Smith's River and Mayo (corre- 
spondence having been formally re- 
sumed with the latter) there was a 
delegation from New River, which 
was seated as a committee. After ap- 
pointing correspondents to Smith's 
River, Ma}^o and Abbott's Creek, 
a letter was prepared and another 
committee appointed to New River. 
These bore the message of hope that 
all the difficulties and obstacles 
might be removed. The association 
also pledged herself to solemnly and 
strictly conform to the requirements 
of the respective committees, and ex- 
pressed a desire and hope that New 
River would do the same. 

The association next convened at 
Round Peak, April 25, 1884. But 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 79 

few delegates were present and no 
correspondents. Very little business 
was transacted. 

The next session met with the 
church at Ararat, October 24, 1884. 
A small delegation from the church- 
es was present. The church at Ara- 
rat had reunited, and furnished a 
good delegation. There were also 
correspondents present from Mayo, 
Smith's River and Abbott's Creek 
Associations. Two letters from Tom's 
Creek were presented. The repre- 
sentatives of the majority were re- 
ceived and seated, and the minority 
advised to return and labor in a gos- 
pel way for peace. Also all church- 
es in the Association holding mem- 
bers from the churches in the Mount- 
ain District, which had come there- 
from without letters, were advised to 
return and labor in a gospel way for 
peace. 

On the 24th day of April, 1885, 
the association met with the church 



80 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

at Elk Spur, The delegation was 
small, and correspondents but few. 

The death of Elder Hugh Jones, 
who had served the association for 
some years as moderator, was report- 
ed; and Elder M. G. Harbour was e- 
lected to serve in said capacity. 

The "open door action" of October, 
1881, was rescinded, and New River 
notified. 

White Oak Spring was honored 
with the next session, which conven- 
ed October 23, 1885. Elder M. G. 
Harbour was chosen to preside, and 
Elder A. M. Denny to act as clerk. 
Correspondents from Mayo, Smith's 
River, Abbott's Creek and Country 
Line were received and seated. Also 
a committee from New River. 

In answer to New River, the asso- 
ciation said, "We do not hold you in 
bonds for your correspondence with 
the Mountain." The association al- 
so appointed another committee to 
confer with New River for a final 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 81 

settlement of all difficulties existing 
between the two bodies. 

The association met at Volunteer, 
Stokes Co, N. C, April 23rd, 1886. 
A new church had been constituted 
near the town of Siloam, and named 
Hogan's Creek. This church with 
all the others in the association sent 
delegates who were seated in the bod- 
y. The ordination of C. B. Denny to 
the office of elder, in the church at 
Ararat, was reported. Nothing more 
of interest was done at this session. 
On Oct. 22, 1886, messengers repre- 
senting fourteen churches (Volunteer 
sending only a letter) met with the 
church at Cody's Creek. The church 
at State Road, Rock Spring, Frank- 
lin and at Stuart's Creek, all sending 
delegates and becoming reconciled 
with the association, full fellowship 
was restored and their delegates were 
all seated. The Mountain Associa- 
tion was acknowledged as an ortho- 
dox body; but as some of her church- 



82 HISTORY OF FISHER^ RIVER 

es were holding members from some 
of the churches in Fisher's River 
Association, no correspondence was 
agreed upon as yet, although the oth- 
er obstacles had been removed. 

Peace was now complete with New 
River and full correspondence resum- 
ed, and corresponding brethren ap- 
pointed; also to Smith's River, Mayo 
and Abbott's Creek. 

The next session was held with the 
church at State Road, April 22, 1887. 
State Road returning, her delegates 
were seated in the body. Also seated 
Calvin Gentry as the first correspond- 
ent from the Mountain Association; 
and appointed correspondents to the 
Mountain Association. 




■ ■■:■-:.■ 

I 










M 



— . Vnil 



ELDER C. B. DENNY, MEMBER OF THE 
COMMITTEE ON HISTORY, 

PINNACLE, N. C. 



LOVE, PEACE AND UNION. 



The war over; and correspondence 
having been resumed, a new era will 
be noted in the affairs of the Associa- 
tion. Where strife and seeming war- 
fare had existed, peace and love pre- 
vailed. Instead of wrangling over 
the question of correspondence, the 
association would go through the bus- 
iness of the body and soon proceed to 
the congregation with singing, 
preaching and praising God for his 
wonderful deliverance. 

At the next session of the asso- 
ciation, held with the church at Ho- 
gan's Creek, Oct. 21, 1887, all the 
churches, sixteen in number, sent 
delegates, and all were received and 
seated in fellowship. Correspond- 
ents and visitors were received and 
seated from Abbott's Creek. Smith's 
River, New River, Mountain, Mayo, 
Silver Creek, Senter and Roaring 
River Associations; and correspond- 
ents were appointed to each of these 
bodies, except Silver Creek. The re- 



84 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

ception of more than fifty members 
by the different churches in the past 
year was reported. All was peace 
and love. What a change! 

On the 20th of April, 1888, the as- 
sociation met at Rock Spring. All 
the churches were represented and a 
good correspondence from the sister 
associations was received. The ordi- 
nation of W. B. Southern and C. L. 
Arlington to the office of deacon, at 
Tom's Creek; Marion Welbourn to 
the office of deacon, at Rock Spring; 
and J. J. Ayers to the office of dea- 
con, at Elk Spur, was reported to the 
association. 

The next session was held with 
the church at Stuart's Creek, Oct. 26, 
1888. All the churches sent dele- 
gates; all the delegates were seated, 
and a newly constituted church was 
received by the name of Union. This 
body, situated about six miles south 
of Dobson, was composed of mem- 
bers who had taken letters of dismis- 
sion from the church at Hogan's 
Creek. A general revival was report- 
ed, with some additions to nearly all 
the churches; but the most was at 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 85 

Hogan's Creek. This church report- 
ed 38 additions to the church, all of 
which was received by experience 
and baptism. In all the churches to- 
gether the number reached about 90, 
besides 25 which had been received 
by letter from other churches, and 16 
that had been restored to fellowship, 
from which thev had hitherto been 
excluded. In all, for the last year, 
the increase was about 130 members. 
Correspondents and visitors were 
seated from New River, M a y o , 
Smith's River, Abbott's Creek, Roar- 
ing River, Mountain and Country 
Line associations; and corresponding 
brethren were appointed in return. 
Correspondents were appointed to 
Senter, association, also; and ordered 
minutes sent to Kehukee and Little 
River Associations. The ordination 
of John G. Jones, King D. Key and 
Azariah M. Denny to the office of 
deacon, in the newly constituted 
church at Union, was reported. Up 
to this time all presbyteries had been 
first requested by the church and ap- 
pointed by the association; but at 
this meeting the association advised 



86 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

the churches when in need of pres- 
byteries to ordain deacons to call 
them from sister churches. 

The next session was held with the 
newly constituted church at Union, 
April 26th, 1889. All the churches 
were represented. There was not a 
very large delegation of correspond- 
ents present, but all who were pres- 
ent were seated in council with the 
association. 

Elder Isaac Jones, of White Oak 
Association, and Eld. D. N. Gore, of 
Mill Branch Association, were pres- 
ent. Fisher's River offered corre- 
spondence by minutes(or messengers, 
when convenient) to each of these as- 
sociations; and each body was to be 
informed through its representative 
elder then present. 

As some of the colored members 
of the different churches had obtain- 
ed letters of dismission to join the 
colored churches; and as a report 
had become current that these color- 
ed churches were in disorder, the as- 
sociation appointed a committee to 
visit the colored association, and im- 
part such instruction to them in be- 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 87 

half of this association, as it might 
find necessary. 

On the 25th day of Oct., 1889, the 
association met at Fisher's Gap. All 
the churches were represented, and a 
church by the name of Senter pre- 
sented a letter from the Mountain 
Association, and was received, 
and her delegates seated. Also, we 
notice that a newly constituted 
church by the name of Rockhouse, 
was received into the association. 
This church was composed of mem- 
bers who took letters of dismission 
from the Church at Tom's Creek, 
and is situated in Stokes Co., N. C, 
near the old Historic Rock Fortress, 
built by Jack Martin, more than a 
century ago. 

There were quite a number of cor- 
respondents present from the differ- 
ent associations, and all were seated 
in conference. 

The committee appointed to inves- 
tigate the colored churches, in con- 
ference in their association, reported 
that they considered them orthodox; 
but, owing to one of their churches 
calling a pastor, who had been ex- 



88 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

eluded from the church at Tom's 
Creek, they were in disorder. An- 
other committee was appointed to 
visit him and admonish him to go to 
Tom's Creek church and make satis- 
faction. 

Correspondents were appointed to 
visit Abbott's Creek, Mayo, Smith's 
River, New River, Roaring River, 
White Oak and Mountain associa- 
tions. Also minutes were ordered to 
be sent to Mill Branch, Little River 
and Kehukee associations. We also 
note that 70 members had been bap- 
tized during the past year. Twelve 
members died and three had been 
excluded. 

A resolution was passed to dispense 
with the spring term of the associa- 
tion, and the churches requested to 
express in their next letters to the 
association whether they were in fa- 
vor of Section Meetings or not. 

The association next met with the 
newly constituted church at Rock- 
house, Oct, 24, 1890. Most of the 
churches were represented, and corre- 
spondents were present from Country 
Line, Smith's River, Mayo and the 




ELDER W. H. ATKINSON, MEMBER OF THE 
COMMITTEE ON HISTORY, 

ARARAT, N. C. 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 89 

Mountain. Twenty-eight members 
had been received by experience and 
baptism; four were restored to fellow- 
ship; thirteen had died and twelve 
had been excluded. The ordination 
of G. O. Key and Wm. H. Atkinson 
to the office of elder, in the church at 
Union, was reported. The name of 
Senter church had been changed to 
Liberty, because of the moving of the 
church to a new place of worship by 
that name. 

A large majority of the churches 
opposed Section Meetings, and asked 
for two Associations a year. 

The committee appointed to visit 
the colored preacher reported him 
still in disorder. The association, 
therefore, agreed to drop the matter, 
and have nothing more to do with 
them until they get themselves in 
order. Correspondents were appoint- 
ed to each of the associations with 
which the association was correspond- 
ing. 

The next session was held with the 
church at Fisher's River. All the 
churches w ere represented, except 
White Oak Spring, which had been 



90 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

growing weaker for some time. A 
presbytery was called; and, finding 
only ten members, it was agreed that 
the church dissolve. Five of the 
members took letters a n d joined at 
Stuart's Creek, and the other five at 
Tom's Creek. The church at Zion 
Hill was received by letter from the 
Mountain Association. A large cor- 
respondence was present and seated. 

The ordination of Wm. M. Stone 
and Jesse A. Ashburn to the office of 
elder, in the church at Ararat, was 
reported. 

The association advised all the 
churches of the association to deal 
strictly with any and all members 
who may engage in violations of the 
law, either by blockading or other- 
wise, and to exclude any and all who 
persist in the same. 

On October 23, 1891, the associa- 
tion convened with the church at 
Deep Creek. All the churches, 19 
in number, were represented. Also 
the church at Mulberry was received 
by letter from the Mountain Associa- 
tion. Correspondents and visitors 
were received and seated from Ab- 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 91 

bott's Creek, Smith's River, New 
River, Roaring River and Mountain 
Associations. Correspondents were 
appointed to the same and, also, to 
Senter and Country Line Associa- 
tions. The baptism of 16 members 
and the death of 12 members was 
reported. Also the ordination of R. 
R. Key to the office of elder, in the 
church at Ararat, was reported. One 
thousand minutes were ordered print- 
ed for distribution among the church- 
es and associations. 

The next session was held with the 
church at Zion Hill, April, 22, 1892. 
All the churches, except Tom's Creek, 
were represented. Visitors from 
Mayo, New T River, Washington, Sil- 
ver Creek, Black Creek and Mount- 
ain Associations were present and 
seated. The churches all appeared to 
be in peace, and love was manifested 
as existing among the sister associa- 
tions generally. The presence of Eld. 
P. D. Gold, from Black Creek Asso- 
ciation, was much appreciated by the 
association, it being his first visit, and 
having come so great a distance. 

The association again took occasion 



92 HISTORY of fisher's river 

to advise the churches to deal with 
all members who refuse to pay just 
debts, or who violate the law in any 
way. 

Tom's Creek was the next church 
to be honored with the association, 
which convened October 21st, 1892. 
All of the 20 churches were repre- 
sented. Correspondents and visitors 
were present and seated in council 
from Abbotts Creek. Mayo, Smith's 
River, New River, Country Line, 
Washington (visitor only) and the 
Mountain Associations, and minutes 
from Senter. The statistics showed 
the baptism of 37 members and the 
death of 18 members. 

The association appointed a com- 
mittee to vist Roaring River Associa- 
tion and notify her that the associa- 
tion was aggrieved on the account of 
the conduct of Eld. W. R. Welbourn, 
an elder in one of the churches com- 
posing that body. 

At the next session of the associa- 
tion, which was held with the church 
at Flower Gap, April 21, 1893, all 
the churches were represented by del- 
egates, except three, Cody's Creek, 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 93 

Deep Creek and Liberty. Eld. Isaac 
Jones, from White Oak, and Eld. P. 
D. Gold, from Black Creek Associa- 
tions, were present and seated as vis- 
itors. As correspondents, we note 
with pleasure the presence of Elder 
P. W. Williard, from Abbott's Creek; 
Eld. J. D. Vass, from the Mountain; 
and Eld. James M Allen, from New 
River. 

A query was presented by t h e 
church at Franklin, to wit: 

"Has a church the right to receive 
members, while two of their mem- 
bers are in contusion?" Answer: 
"Yes, provided those members, who 
are in confusion, be first silenced.'' 

Another query was presented as 
follows: "What is the result of orig- 
ional sin on Adam's posterity? 5 ' On 
this query there was quite a discus- 
sion, in which Elders Jones a n d 
Gold took part, by the request of the 
association. The answer given was 
as follows: "It brought death, natur- 
al and eternal." 

The next session of the association 
was held w T ith the church at Flat 
Top or Franklin, October 20, 1893. 



94 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

Delegates representing a 1 1 the 
churches, 20 in number, were pres- 
ent and seated. Also a newly con- 
stituted church, Dover by name, and 
located near White Plains, N. C, was 
admitted, or received as a part of the 
association. Also corresponding 
brethren were received from Roaring 
River, Senter, Mayo and Mountain 
Associations; and visitors from Un- 
ion Association, in Ky., and Bear 
Creek Association, in N. C. These 
were all seated in council. The sta- 
tistics show that 27 had been bap- 
tized, 14 had died, making the total 
membership of all the churches now 
about 730. There were then 17 eld- 
ers and 21 churches. 

The committee appointed to con- 
fer with Roaring River, in regard to 
the case of Elder Welbourn, had fail- 
ed to attend; and the association find- 
ing her mistake in attempting to 
confer with Roaring River Associa- 
tion instead of Elder Welbourn him- 
self, asked pardon for what she had 
done, and advised all parties aggriev- 
ed with Elder Welbourn to go to him 
and labor for reconciliation accord- 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 95 

ins; to the word of God. 

April 20th, 1894, was the date of 
the next session, which convened 
with the church at liberty. All the 
churches sent delegates which were 
seated. Also visitors and correspond- 
ents from Mayo, White Oak and 
Mountain Associations were present 
and seated. 

The ordination of H. D. Mickey to 
the office of elder, in the church at 
Volunteer, was reported. The church- 
es of the association were advised to 
look after their licensed ministers, 
who were not preaching, and call in 
their license; and to permit none to 
preach without license, except in the 
bounds of their own church, or in 
the presence of ordained authority. 
A presbytery was appointed for the 
purpose of ordaining Abram King 
(col.) at Tom's Creek, if found ortho- 
dox. 

On Oct. 26, 1894 the association 
convened with the church at Dover. 
All the churches except Cody's Creek 
were represented; also correspondents 
from Mayo, Smith's River, Roaring 
River, Country Line and Mountain 



98 HISTORY of fisher's. rive: 



Associations were received and seat- 
ed. 

The statistics showed that 80 mem- 
bers had been baptized during the 
past year. Some had been receded 
by letters of dismission from other as- 
sociations; but 23 had died, leaving 
the total membership now about 800. 

The presbytery appointed to Tom's 
Creek reported that they found A- 
bram King unsound in the faith and 
did not ordain him. 

A letter was presented from a bod- 
y of Baptists known as the "Parker 
Faction/' of Little River Association. 
In answer to which the association 
made the following reply: "We are 
not in the seat of judgment, but will 
say to you, that we learn that the dif- 
ferent associations of that country 
were in council when you were * dis- 
owned, and we cannot disregard their 
decision; but say to you, Labor in a 
gospel way for fellowship, and we 
think peace will be restored." 

On April 26, 1895, the association 
convened with Ararat church, at Ce- 
dar Hill meetinghouse, the new place 
of worship adopted by said church. 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 97 

All the churches were represented 
except Cody's Creek and Dover. Cor- 
responding elders and brethren were 
received and seated from Mayo, and 
Elder Isaac Jones visitor from White 
Oak Association. 

A new church by the name of 
Mountain View was received into the 
association. The constitution of the 
new church, above named, and the 
ordination of Tyler Gates to the of- 
fice of deacon, was reported. The 
news of the deaths of Elder Wm. B. 
Gates, Elder C. Blackburn, and Dea- 
con Orvil Hawks was sorrowfully re- 
ceived. 

A committee was appointed to vis- 
it the church at Cody's Creek and 
dissolve it by giving to each of the 
members a letter of dismission, or 
give such advice to them as they may 
find necessary. On Saturday and 
Sunday the congregation was unusu- 
ally large and the preaching very im- 
pressive. 

The fall session was held with the 
Church at Round Peak, Oct. 25, 1895. 
All the churches (21 in number) were 
represented; also correspondents and 



98 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

visitors were received from Mavo, 
New River, Mountain, Roaring Riv- 
er, Senter and Union. The last two 
were represented only by visitors. 
And a file of minutes was received 
from each of the following associa- 
tions: Little River, Abbott's Creek, 
Kehukee, Staunton River, Country 
Line, Senter, Ketooton and Ebenezer. 
The statistics show an increase of 20 
members. Fifty-three had been re- 
ceived, but 33 had died or had been 
excluded. Elder Harbour was again 
moderator and Elder A. M. Denny 
clerk. 

The committee to Cody's Creek 
reported the dissolving of the said 
church, and the reception of its mem- 
bers by the church at Liberty. The 
name of the church at Cody's Creek 
was ordered to be dropped from the 
minutes. 

Roaring River Association com- 
plained that the church at Mulberry 
had refused to grant letters of dismis- 
sion to a number of members of said 
church (Mulberry) because said mem- 
bers wished to join a church, o r 
churches in Roaring River Associa- 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 99 

tion. And this association replied: 
"We did not refuse to give those 
members letters of dismission owing 
to their intention to join your asso- 
ciation, but on account of them be- 
ing in disorder." There had for 
sometime been complaints against W. 
R. Welbourn; that in his autobiogra- 
phy he had misrepresented the facts. 
Some of the members of the church 
at Mulberry claimed to know this to 
be true, and desired that Elder Wel- 
bourn should be dealt with for such 
misrepresentations. The matter had 
been before this association before 
and the aggrieved parties were ad- 
vised to go to him, or to his home 
church with their complaint. This 
they had done, they said, and his 
church refused to hear the charges. 

The church at Ararat presented a 
query to this association, asking if it 
was gospel order to receive and seat 
members of the church or churches, 
refusing to hear the charges against 
Elder Welbourn. The answer of the 
association was, "No." 

Correspondents were appointed to 
Mayo, Smith's River, New River, 



100 HISTORY OF FISHER ? S RIVER 

Senter, Roaring River, Country Line 
and Mountain Associations; also a- 
greed to send a file of minutes to Lit- 
tle River, Kehukee, White Oak, and 
Mill Branch Associations. No cor- 
respondence was taken up with Ke- 
tocton and Ebenezer, owing to the 
distance and want of knowledge of 
their faith and order. 

Elk Spur church, in Carroll Co., 
Va. ? was next to entertain the associ- 
ation, which she did, April 26, 1896. 

Each of the churches sent dele- 
gates, except Fisher's Gap, Rock 
Spring and Deep Creek. There had 
been a new church organized at 
Martin, in Va., which was admitted 
into the association. 

Correspondents were received and 
seated from Mayo, Smith's River, 
New River and Mountain Associa- 
tions; also Elder P. D. Gold, from 
Black Creek, and Elder Isaac Jones, 
from White Oak, as visitors. There 
was very little business done; but 
quite a large congregation was pres- 
ent, and the preaching was received 
with much joy. 

The church at Volunteer, Stokes 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 101 

Co., N. C.j was given the presence of 
the next session of the association, 
which convened October 23, 1896. 

Correspondents from Mayo. Senter 
and Mountain Associations, and two 
visitors (Elders M. B. and W. D. 
Martin, from Union Association in 
Ky.) met with delegates from every 
church in the association. Elder 
Harbour was again made moderator, 
and Elder Denny clerk. 

The death of Elders Russell R. 
Key and Nathan Alberty, also of 
Deacon R. P. Philips, was received 
with sorrow. 

Correspondents were appointed to 
Roaring River, Smith's River, New 
River, Mavo and Mountain Associa- 
tions, and a file of minutes ordered 
to be sent to Abbott's Creek, Little 
River, Kehukee, Mill Branch, Sen- 
ter and Country Line Associations. 

During the past year, quite a num- 
ber of members of different churches 
had died. We note the death of five 
in the church at Ararat. 

On the 23rd day of April, 1897, 
the association met with the church 
at Hogan's Creek. With the excep- 



102 HISTORY OF FISHEB's RIVER 

tion of Martin, Mountain View and 
Round Peak, all the churches sent 
delegates. A new church had been 
constituted at Pilot Mountain, which 
was received into the association and 
its delegates seated. Elder J. A. 
Burch was seated as correspondent, 
from Country Line. Elder P. D. 
Gold, from P>lack Creek, and Elder 
E. E. Lundy, from the Mountain, 
were seated as visitors. The death of 
two very efficient deacons, F. M. Mc- 
Craw and J. M. Gordon was sorrow- 
fully received. 

A delegation was appointed to vis- 
it Roaring River Association and to 
bear a letter of complaint to her, as 
follows: "We prefer the following 
charges against the Roaring River 
church, in the Roaring River Associ- 
ation: We, the Fisher's River Associ- 
ation, now in session at Hogan's 
Creek, Surry Co., N. C, April 24th, 
1897, do say to our sister, the Roar- 
ing River Association, that we hum- 
bly ask your honorable body to no- 
tice the disorder of Roaring River 
church and deal with her properly 
for disregarding the testimony of 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 103 

some of our brethren and sisters, to 
wit: Elders C. B. Denny, A. C. 
Woodruff and J. M. Wyatt, and breth- 
ren S. B. Jones, Russell Draughn, 
Marion Welbourn, T. P. Nixon and 

B. F. Absher; and sisters Nancy E. 
Philips, S. E. Beemer and S. A. Cock- 
erham, and sustaining Elder W. R. 
Welbourn in the face of their testi- 
mony. And we appoint Elders M. 
G. Harbour and Gabriel Denny; also 
Wm. Golding to go with our regular 
correspondents. Elders G. O. Key, 

C. B. Denny and J. D. Draughn to 
the next session of the said Roaring 
River Association and labor to per- 
petuate peace and fellowship, and 
that these brethren whose testimony 
was discarded go and be with them." 
This concluded the work of the asso- 
ciation at this session. 

On the 22nd day of October, the 
association convened with the church 
at State Road. Delegates represent- 
ing all the churches (23 in number) 
met with correspondents from Mayo, 
New River, Roaring River, Country 
Line, Senter and Mountain Associa- 
tions, and Elder Z. T. Turner, from 



104 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

Pig River, and Elders M. B. Martin 
and Robert Honaker, from Washing- 
ton Association. The statistics show 
but little change in numbers during 
the past year 

Correspondents were appointed to 
Mayo, Smith's River, New River, 
Senter and Mountain Associations: 
also a file of minutes sent to each of 
the following associations, to wit: 
Kehukee, Abbott's Creek, White 
Oak, Mill Branch, Pig River, Staun- 
ton River, Ebenezer and Ketocton. 

The correspondents and committee 
appointed to visit the Roaring River 
Association reported that they were 
seated in that association, but that 
their testimony w 7 as disregarded and 
the letter not satisfactorily answered. 
We have not a copy of the letter, 
written by Roaring River, but if we 
can obtain a copy, it will appear in 
this volume. The reply to the letter 
was as follows: "We therefore, in 
consideration of the testimony of 
those brethren who were appointed 
to visit you at your last association, 
sustain our brethren and believe 
their testimony; and we believe they 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 105 

have been treated in a very unchris- 
tian manner by Eid.W. R. Welbourn, 
and also by Roaring River church; 
and we, therefore, declare nonfellow- 
ship with Elder Welbourn; also, with 
Roaring River church for holding 
him and disregarding the testimony 
of our brethren. And we agree, also, 
to withhold the appointing of corre- 
spondents to your body until you 
exonerate our brethren from all 
things in which they are wrongfully 
accused. We also agree that a copy 
of this letter be published in Zion's 
Landmark, and, also, in the Allegha- 
ny Star." 

The association also gave the 
churches the following praise-worthy 
advice: "We advise the churches of 
this association not to receive nor to 
hold any member or members, who 
are not of good moral character." 

There had been, just previous to 
this time, much caviling over the 
duty of the laity as regards giving of 
their substance to those engaged in 
the ministry, not, however, that the 
laity of this association was burden- 
ed or attempted to be, as was before 



106 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

stated, somewhere in this work; but 
as the matter had been, more or less, 
discussed, this body took occasion to 
place itself on record, with the follow- 
ing words: " Agreed that the assist- 
ance to ministers should be given un- 
der the nature of 'Benevolence,' and 
not as a debt." 

After preaching to the usual large 
congregation the association adjourn- 
ed. 

On the 22nd day of April, 1898, the 
association was held with the church 
at Stuart's Creek, one mile from Mt. 
Airy, N. C. Delegates representing 
each of the churches were present. 

Correspondents from Mayo, New 
River, and the Mountain were pres- 
ent and seated; also Elder P. D. Gold, 
from Black Creek and Elder James 
A. Burch, from Country Line, were 
seated as visitors. We might here 
state that visiting elders and breth- 
ren were accorded the same liberties 
and courtesies as correspondents. 

Elder Harbour was again modera- 
tor and Elder A. M. Denny clerk. 
No business except the regular read- 
ing of the Rules of Decorum, Arti- 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 107 

cles of Faith, Covenant, etc., and the 
usual adopting of a resolution of 
thanks to the citizens of the commu- 
nity for their hospitality. 

Perhaps it would interest the read- 
er to give here a few of the customs 
of the citizens of the country in 
which this Association is situated. 
Most of the citizens are farmers, own- 
ing small farms which they cultivate 
with one or two horses, sometimes 
more; but not as a rule. They are, 
for the most part, very hospitable, 
and when the association is to be held 
in a community, almost every one 
prepares to entertain company. This 
is done without cost to the guest. 
The entertaining is not confined to 
the Primitive Baptists alone, but cit- 
izens of the various, different relig- 
ious persuasions, often open their 
doors and give a public invitation to 
the delegates and visitors to the^e as- 
sociations. As a rule, there is much 
pride taken in hospitality. 

The next annual session of the as- 
sociation was held with the church 
at Martin, in Carroll County, Virgin- 
ia, October 21, 1898. 



108 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

There were six churches whose 
delegates failed to attend, to wit: 
Rock Spring, Fisher's Gap, Fisher's 
River, Hogan's Creek, Deep Creek 
and Mountain View. The other 17 
churches were represented. Corre- 
spondents from Mayo, New River, 
Smith's River and Mountain were re- 
ceived and seated. Also Elder Isaac 
Jones, from White Oak, and Eld. J. 
D. Rife, of Mate's Creek, Pike Coun- 
ty, Ky., were seated as visitors. And 
correspondents were appointed to 
Mayo, Smith's River, New River, 
Senter, Mate's Creek and Mountain. 

Statistics showed but little change 
in numbers. 

The next meeting was with the 
church in the town of Pilot Mount- 
ain, N. C, and convened on April 21, 
1899. Every church except Rock 
Spring was represented by delegates 
who met with correspondents from 
Mayo, Smith's River, New River and 
the Mountain Associations, also Eld. 
A. J. Taylor, from Senter, Eld. P. D. 
Gold, from Black Creek, and Elder 
Isaac Jones, from White Oak, all of 
whom were seated in fellowship. 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 109 

There was an unusually large con- 
gregation of people assembled togeth- 
er there on account of this meeting, 
so much so that the very large build- 
ing belonging to the Primitive Bap- 
tists was not adequate. But through 
the courtesy of the Missionary Bap- 
tists their building was also filled, 
and yet a large number of people 
failed to get to hear the preaching, 
for the want of room. 

Very little business claimed the at- 
tention of the body, which adjourn- 
ed after a short session. The preach- 
ing was quite able and very effective. 

On Oct. 20, of same year, the asso- 
ciation convened with the church at 
Mulberry. Delegates from all the 
churches met with correspondents 
from Mayo and Mountain Associa- 
tions. Also Eld. Levi I. Bodenheim- 
er, of Mayo, and Eld. Richard Fender, 
of Senter, were present and seated in 
the association. 

A letter was presented by delegates 
representing a newly constituted 
church at Albion; but, instead of re- 
ceiving the church at once, as had 
been the custom in most of the pre- 



110 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

vious cases, the letter was referred to 
the committee having the arrange- 
ment of the other business in charge. 
The cause was this: In other instan- 
ces churches had grown up from an 
arm, set off by some other church; 
and, when a sufficient number had 
become members, the association had 
appointed a presbytery of elders to 
examine and constitute them into a 
church. In this case it was different. 
There was no church-house at Albion, 
and the people wished to build one 
and built it at once. They also wish- 
ed the title of the land composing 
the site to be vested in the proper 
trustees: and, under this considera- 
tion, by the request of eight or ten 
members, the church at Tom's Creek 
granted letters to the said members 
and requested elders from other 
churches to meet them at Albion, 
and constitute them into a church, 
which they did. After the matter 
had been explained to the commit- 
tee, and they had made their report, 
the church was received and became 
a part of the association. Their Ar- 
ticles of Faith and Rules of Decorum 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. Ill 

being the same as herein written. 

The statistics showed some increase 
in the number of members. 

Roaring River Association had 
sent a letter to the association accom- 
panied by the record of the trial of 
Elder W. R. Welbourn, by the Roar- 
ing River church, which trial pur- 
ported to have been held in Decem- 
ber, 1896. In answer to which this 
body replied: "We say that as the 
association has not as yet exhonorat- 
ed our brethren from the burden im- 
posed upon them, therefore, we still 
require it of them." 

The association appointed corre- 
spondents to Mayo, Smith's River, 
New River, Senter and Mountain. 

With Elder Harbour moderator 
and Elder A. M. Denny clerk the as- 
sociation adjourned. 

On April 20, 1900, the association 
convened with the church at Union; 
all the churches, except Fisher's Riv- 
er, were represented by delegates, it 
sending a letter. No correspondents 
were present, except one from Mayo. 
Elder P. D. Gold was present and 
seated as a visitor from Black Creek. 



112 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

A newly constituted church by the 
name of Little Vine was admitted in- 
to the association as a part of the 
same. 

The news of the death of Elder A. 
Z. Philips, and of Deacon Turner 
Pilson was heard with much sorrow. 

The preaching was, apparently, 
well received, and the association ad- 
journed to meet with the church at 
Albion. 

This meeting occurred October 26, 
1900. Delegates representing each 
of the 25 churches met with corre- 
spondents from Mayo, Smith's River, 
Senter and Mountain. Elders Har- 
bour and Denny were made moder- 
ator and clerk. From the time of 
the organization of this Association, 
in 1832, until the present, there was 
a clause in their Articles of Faith 
which read, "We believe that God 
created all things, sin excepted/' 
Several of the leading ministers in 
the Association often contended that 
sin was not a "thing" but an act of 
disobedience on the part of man, and 
the mentioning of it, in connection 
with creation, was superfluous. So 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 113 

the association appointed a commit- 
tee consisting of Elders A. M. Denny, 
M. G. Harbour and C. B. Denny to 
revise this article and make some mi- 
nor changes in the phraseology in 
the Articles of Faith, but none of 
which, however, changed the real 
meaning. 

The following query, from Flower 
Gap, was presented: "Is it gospel or- 
der to give letters of dismission for 
any other cause than that of conven- 
ience? and what is meant by the 
word "convenience? Answer: "We 
advise that it is not, unless a good 
and justified reason be given; and 
in no case should letters of dismis- 
sion be given to members who are 
not in good standing, and in full fel- 
lowship; and we advise further, that 
if any church of our body has giv^n 
letters contrar}' to the tenor of this 
advice, that they revoke them." 

This query, doubtless, was prompt- 
ed by the fact that Elder James M. 
Wyatt had procured a letter from 
the church at State Road while he 
was not in full fellowship with the 
brethren generally— a crime had 



114 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

been charged and not fully investi- 
gated — and had joined a church in 
a different association, and not con- 
venient to his home. 

The association then appointed 
correspondents to Senter, New River, 
Smith's River, Mayo, Country Line, 
Abbott's Creek and Mountain. 

The news of the death of Deacon 
Jackson Norman was sorrowfully re- 
ceived by the association. 

The congregation was exceedingly 
large, and, considering its size, very 
orderly. Services were held on Sun- 
day, both in the house and at a pulpit 
erected in the grove. The preaching 
was very impressive, and often spok- 
en of afterward. 

The association adjourned to meet 
at Little Vine, one and one-half 
miles west of Dobson, N. C; which 
meeting was held on April 26, 1901. 
Each of the churches was represent- 
ed by delegates. There were no cor- 
respondents from other associations. 

The ordination of Garland Allen 
to the office of elder, in the church at 
Elk Spur, was reported. 

Ever since the publication of Has- 




ELDER JESSE A. ASHBURF, 

( Author of this Book. ) 

PILOT MOUNTAIN, N. C. 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 115 

sell's Church History, there had been 
a growing restlessness on the part of 
some of the members of some of the 
churches in this Association, among 
whom was the writer of this work. 
Thife restlessness, doubtless, was caus- 
ed by the fact that Hassell's History 
did not contain even a sketch of 
this body. This omission, however, 
w r as not due to negligence on the part 
of Elder Hassell, for he used due dil- 
igence in trying to get the necessary 
information, and sent blanks for that 
purpose to some party or parties, in 
this Association; but the party or 
parties to whom they were sent, for 
some reason, failed to fill out and 
return them. For this reason the 
sketch was omitted. The author and 
others, after talking the matter over, 
decided that it would be wise to pre- 
serve the memory of this body and 
its early records by a small history. 
After the matter was discussed in 
the association, the body appointed a 
committee of elders, M. G. Harbour, 
A. M. Denny, W. H. Atkinson, C. B. 
Denny and J. D. Draughn to act with 
the author in the preparation and 



116 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

verifying of this work. 

We here append a note appearing 
in the records of this meeting. "This 
association, or meeting, was remark- 
able in two respects: (1) The entire 
absence of correspondents; and (2) 
The wonderful manifestation of fel- 
lowship, union and love among the 
brethren.' 7 

The next session of the association 
was held with the church at Rock- 
house, in Stokes Co., N. C, October 
25, 1901. The churches, 25 in num- 
ber, were all represented by delegates, 
except Hogan's Creek, Rock Spring, 
and Franklin. 

The statistics showed a small in- 
crease in the entire membership of 
the churches which, at this time, ag- 
gregated about 850 members. 

Corresoondents were nresent raid 
seated from each of the following as- 
sociations: Mayo, Smith's River and 
Mountain. Elders Harbour and 
Denny were again elected moderator 
and Clerk. The ordination of J. H. 
Wood to the office of deacon, in the 
church at Little Vine, and Charlie 
Hawks and J. H. McCraw to the 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 117 

same office, in the church at Flower 
Gap, was reported to the association. 

Inquiry was made as to the prog- 
ress of this work of preparing this 
volume. A favorable report was 
made, expressing a hope of its com- 
pletion in about one year. 

Correspondents were appointed to 
Mayo, Smith's River, New River and 
Mountain associations; and agreed to 
send minutes to Abbott's Creek, 
Country Line, Senter, Eno, Little 
River, Black Creek, Contentnea, Ke- 
hukee, White Oak, Mill Branch, Pig 
River and Staunton River Associa- 
tions. 

Elder J. M. Wyatt, formerly a 
member of the church at State Road 
and resident of Surry Co., N. C; but 
now a citizen of Pike Co., Ky., had 
been charged with some disorderly 
conduct, in the western part of Vi., 
or eastern part of Ky. State Road 
church had tried te get the facts in 
the case, but, so far, had failed; and 
before full satisfaction was reached 
in the matter, a pare of the church 
granted him a letter or certificate of 
fellowship, which he carried away 



118 HISTOKY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

with him when he moved his family 
to Kentucky. We learned that he 
joined a church there, placing this 
letter with the church. As there was 
dissatisfaction at both places about 
the matter, the church at State Road 
was advised, by the association, to re- 
voke said letter. 

The association again took occa- 
sion to remind the E oaring River 
Association of her disorder in associ- 
ating with, or holding to Roaring 
River and Pilgrim's Rest churches: 
they having refused to deal with 
Elder Wm. R. Weibourn for false 
representations in his autobiography, 
and also for his bold and unwarrant- 
ed attack on this Association, and 
especially on Elder C. B. Denny. 
The following resolution was adopt- 
ed. "Whereas Eld. W. R. Weibourn, 
of the Roaring River Association, 
published this, the Fisher's River 
Association, in the Standard of 
Truth as being an Arminian body, 
full of heresy and disorders, and has 
otherwise made charges against Eld. 
C. B. Denny, and others of our breth- 
ren, which we know to be false; and 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 119 

in consideration of the Pilgrim's 
Rest church receiving and yet hold- 
ing members who stand legally ex- 
cluded from Mulberry church; and, 
also, holding a record charging said 
church with disorderly government, 
and making other charges against 
Elder C. B. Denny, the pastor of said 
church, for preaching Arminianism 
and the things of which we hereby 
declare he is not guilty; and seeing 
further that Roaring River Associa- 
tion still sustains Elder W. R. Wel- 
bourn and Pilgrim's Rest church, in 
said disorder: We, therefore, declare 
nonfellowship with said Roaring 
River Association, and we further 
ask our general correspondence to 
consider the general disorder of that 
Association." 

On April 25, 1902, the association 
met with the church at Fisher's Gap; 
in the county of Surrv, N. C. Del- 
egates from each of 25 churches were 
present. While no corresponding 
delegates were present, yet several 
visitors were there. Among them 
were Elder J. D. Vass, C. L. Carr, J. 
M. Dickey, and B. Flector; also a file 



120 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

of minutes from each of White Oak, 
Kehukee, Mountain, and Abbott's 
Creek Associations. Elder Harbour 
was again made moderator, and C. F. 
Denny clerk. 

A letter of correspondence was re- 
ceived from Senter Association, and 
corrsepondence opened by seating 
her delegates in the council. 

The ordination of J. L. Pyrtle to 
the office of elder, in the church at 
Volunteer, was reported. 

State Road church had been, for 
some time, having trouble with Eld. 
Wyatt, of said church, and who had 
recently moved near Peter's Creek 
church, in Pike Co., Ky. Some 
charges were made against him in 
Virginia. He had denied the charg- 
es at home, but it seems that he now 
confesses them. His being so great 
a distance from them, and the church 
not being very strong, it sought ad- 
vice of the Association. This she 
gave as follows: "We, as the Associa- 
tion in council, advise State Road 
church to answer certain questions 
in regard to the conduct of Elder J. 
M. Wyatt, and to say to Peter's Creek 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 121 

church that we accept his confessions 
to the several charges against him in 
Virginia, but we still hold him in 
bonds for his false statements, made 
to us in denying to us the charges 
which he now confesses to be true." 

Letters of dismission were granted 
to the churches at Martin, Zion Hill, 
Flower Gap, Elk Spur, and Round 
Peak; and these churches, uniting 
w r ith five churches from the Mount- 
ain Association, formed a new r Asso- 
ciation, called Zion. 

Elder Harbour served as modera- 
tor and C. F. Denny as clerk. 

The next session of the Association 
was held with the church at Fisher's 
River, October 26, 1902. Delegates 
from all (20) the churches met with 
correspondents and visitors, as fol- 
lows: from Mayo, John Burgess and 
F. G. Southern; New River, Elder D. 
S. Webb; Senter, J. A. Cave, Elisha 
Roup, and Eli Long. 

Zion, the new Association, sent a 
letter asking for correspondence; and 
the correspondence being agreed to, 
her delegates, W. D. Vaughn and 
Charlie W. Hawks, were seated in 



122 HISTOKY OF FISHER^ RIVER 

the council. 

The statistics, prior to the forming 
of the new Association, showed the 
number of members to be about 840. 

The number of churches was 25, 
and the number of ordained minis- 
ters seventeen. The general condi- 
tion of the churches was better than 
at any time during the history of the 
Association. 

Correspondents were appointed to 
Mayo, Smith's River, New River, the 
Mountain, Zion, Senter, Abbott's 
Creek, and Eno. 

The Association agreed to drop the 
spring term and to hold but one As- 
sociation each year. 

The Association received with sor- 
row the news of the death of Elder 
A. C. Woodruff, of the church at 
Rock Spring. 

The Association next met v/ith the 
church at Deep Creek, in Yadkin Co., 
N. C, October 23, 1903; and after the 
usual reading of letters from each of 
19 churches(Rock Spring having dis- 
solved, and her members taking let- 
ters and joining elsewhere), delegates 
from 18 churches were organized by 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 123 

electing Elder M. G. Harbour mod- 
erator, and Elder A. M. Denny clerk. 

Correspondents reported as follows: 
From New River, Elders D. S. Webb 
and F. P. Branscome; Abbott's Creek, 
Elder P. W. Williard; Senter, Elder 
John A. Cave. Brother James M. 
Crews was seated, as a visitor, from 
Mayo. 

Correspondents were appointed to 
Abbott's Creek, Mayo, Smith's River, 
New River, Senter, Zion and Mount- 
ain, and a file of minutes sent as 



usual. 



There was nothing of unusual in- 
terest, except some excitement over 
the question of "Treasuries in the 
Churches;" and, as is often the case, 
when a trouble arises, man;/ had been 
misinformed on the matter, and 
which led to the following query (by 
the Committee on Arrangements): 
"•Is it gospel order for a minister to 
agitate an evil which may or may 
not exist in a brother, or a church, 
until he has investigated the matter 
and has labored for reconciliation? 
Answer; No." 

This query had a good effect by 



124 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

calling the attention of the brethren 
to the evil of circulating rumors to 
the hurt of others. 

The Association then adjourned to 
meet with the church at Mountain 
View in 1904. 

The Association met according to 
adjournment, October 21, 1904. All 
the churches (19 in number) sent 
letters; and all, except Hogan's Creek, 
sent delegates. Elder Harbour, the 
aged moderator, not being present, 
the Association organized by electing 
Elder A. M. Denny, the former clerk, 
moderator, and the author of this 
work as clerk. 

Correspondents were received as 
follows: From Zion Association, Eld. 
Wesley Brindle and J. C. McCraw; 
Mayo, Elder E. M. Barnard and Jes- 
se Beasley; Smith's River, W. S. 
Lawson and Hiram Thompson (vis- 
itors); New River, W. F. Harris and 
J. Dehart( visitors). 

Saturday morning, Elder Harbour 
arrived and informed the Association 
that he had been detained by the 
death and burial of his sister. He 
also tendered his resignation as mod- 




ELDER A. M. DENNY, PRESENT MODERA 

TOR OF THE ASSOCIATION AND ALSO 

A MEMBER OF TIJE COMMITTEE ON 

HISTORY. 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 125 

erator, on account of his declining 
age. He had served the body quite 
faithfully for 27 years. The Associ- 
ation accepted his resignation and 
tendered him a resolution of thanks 
for his faithful and impartial service. 
He was also seated in council, as a 
delegate from his (Union) church. 

A resolution was also passed, seat- 
ing all the ordained ministers belong- 
ing to this Association in this body, 
now, as well as in the future. 

After the usual appointing of cor- 
respondents, arranging for the dis- 
tribution of minutes etc., the Associ- 
ation adjourned to meet with the 
church at Tom's Creek. 

On pages 126 and 127 will be seen 
the Statistical Table for the vear 1904, 
and a list of the ministers belonging 
to this body at the present, October 
22, 1904. 




126 



HISTORY OP FISHER S RIVER 



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PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 127 

ORDAINED MINISTERS. 



A. M. Denny, Pinnacle 

C. B. Denny, Pinnacle 

Gabriel Denny , Pinnacle 

Wm. M. Stone, Pinnacle 

H. D. Mickey, Pinnacle 

Henderson Cain, Pilot M't'n 
J. A. Ashburn, Pilot M't'n 

W. H. Atkinson, Ararat 

M. G. Harbour, Moser 

J. D. Drau^hn, White Plains 
G. 0. Key, Pilot Mountain 

J. M. Royal, Roaring Gap 

J. H. Moran, Dan River 

J. L. Pyrtle, Big Creek 

LICENSED MINISTERS. 

C. F. Denny, Greensboro, N. C. 

0. J. Denny, Greensboro, N. C. 

F. P. Stone, Francisco, N. C. 

J. W. Creed, Samuel, N. C. 

C. Lundy, Low Gap, N. C. 



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MANNER OF WORSHIP. 

On assembling at the Churchhouse 
for the purpose of public worship, 
the congregation usually engages in 
ringing a hymn or two before the 
preacher engages the congregation. 
Then the preacher usually reads his 
hymn — most likely one of his own 
choosing. After the hymn is sung, 
(no organ or other instrument being 
used) the minister usually leads in 
public prayer. Sometimes, though 
not always, another hymn is sung. 
Then the preacher announces his text 
if he uses one, and the sermon fol- 
lows. The preaching is always "im- 
promptu" or "extemporaneous" that is, 
without notes or previous meditation. 
The preacher is most generally very 
apt in quoting the scripture, it being 
almost the only book he peruses. It 
is wonderful, if not mysterious, to 
see how he will link each passage of 
scripture with the experience of the 
Christian. Sometimes he almost 
bursts forth in grief, as he relates the 
trouble of poor sinners on account of 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 129 

their sins; but, perhaps, in a very 
short period of time, he is filled with 
rejoicing, as he tells how Jesus took 
away their sins, washing them with 
his own blood. 

Sometimes as many as two, or even 
three, preachers will preach in suc- 
cession during the same meeting. 
Most usually there is a hymn sung 
between each two sermons. When 
the preaching is concluded, if there 
is to be no conference, the congrega- 
tion sings a hymn, and, very often, 
spends a few minutes in shaking 
hands with each other. Then a ben- 
ediction close© the services. 

Each of the churches has a two- 
days meeting each month, called a 
^Church Meeting." Thi^ meeting oc- 
cupies Saturday and Sunday. The 
services usually begin about eleven 
o'clock each day. After the preach- 
ing on Saturday, and before the ben- 
ediction, the church has conference, 
which will be described on the next 
page. 

At these monthly or church meet- 
ings are frequently several ministers, 
part of whom preach on Saturday 



130 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

and the others on Sunday. Some- 
times, however, only two or three 
preachers will be present, and both, 
or all, will preach each day. But in 
seme instances there is b u t one 
preacher who does the preaching for 
both days. 

THE CHURCH CONFERENCE. 

On the Saturday of each church 
meeting, after the preaching service 
is over, the pastor (who is always an 
elder), or in the absence of the pas- 
tor, s >me elder present, on whom 
the church calls, or in the absence of 
any ordained minister, the deacon of 
the church calls the members of the 
church together, that is, requests 
them to sit as near in a body as may 
be; also the members of the churches 
of like faith are invited to seats with 
them. When all are seated in a body 
ready for the transaction of business, 
the pastor, elder or deacon presiding, 
is called "Brother Moderator, " and is 
the presiding officer of the meeting. 
He first inquires of the body if fel- 
lowship exists among all the mem- 
bers. This is a very solemn question, 



PEIMITiyE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 131 

as it strictly means Christian love, 
unity and harmony among all the 
members. If there is not full fellow- 
ship, to sit still, in such condition, is 
fully considered lying, and this is 
quite a base crime in the mind of a 
Primitive Baptist. But, on the other 
hand, to state a nonfellowship is to 
bring trouble into the church, and so 
many of the members between these 
two difficulties ponder fully in their 
minds the consequences; and, at last, 
rather than have troube in t h e 
church, decide it is better to bear the 
wrong; and, finally, they are blest 
with the spirit of forgiveness, and 
decide to forgive the offense. But if 
some member has so hurt or tres- 
passed against another that he can 
not let the matter pass, then it is 
mentioned in the church; but the 
church never acts on the matter un- 
til she ascertains whether or not the 
plaintiff in the case has taken gospel 
steps. This will be more fully dwelt 
upon under the head of "Dealing 
with Offenders.' 7 

After the church is found to be in 
fellowship, or after the matter of fel- 



132 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

lowship is settled, either by putting 
the offending party or parties under 
dealings, or disposing of the matter 
in some other lawful manner, the 
presiding officer calls for "Reference" 
from preceeding meetings. This of- 
ten brings up some case of "offense" 
or "trespass," or "sin against the 
church;" all these must, according to 
the rule of practice, be settled, either 
by referring it to some future meet- 
ing,and the offending party or parties 
"held under dealings," or by forgive- 
ness or exclusion. Then any other 
business of the church is transacted; 
and lastly, manifest that the door of 
the church is open, as it is called, for 
the reception of members. This does 
not mean that the door of the church 
was closed during conference, for the 
Primitive Baptists transact no bus- 
iness behind closed doors; but it 
means that an invitation is given to 
persons present, who are not members 
of the church, to come forward and 
express a desire to become members. 
But this will be more fully treated 
under the head of "Reception of 
Members." 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 133 

After the opening of the door, as it 
is called, if none come forward to 
join, or if any person or persons join, 
then the services are closed by sing- 
ing and the benediction. 

DEALING WITH OFFENDERS. 

This subject is one that has caused 
a great deal of study, as well as a 
great deal of trouble for the elders of 
this body, not so much how to deal 
with the offender, but how to deter- 
mine or judge between public and 
private w r rongs. The scripture, they 
say, is plain how to deal with a " tres- 
pass," and how to deal with an "of- 
fense;" how to deal with a member 
for a trespass upon a brother or a- 
gainst a brother; and it is a time hon- 
ored, as well as a scriptural rule not 
to hear a charge of trespass against a 
brother until the party trespassed a- 
gainst shall first go alone to the par- 
ty trespassing and tell him of his 
fault and try and settle; and, failing 
to do so, he takes one or two w r ith 
him, goes a second time, and again 
tries to settle the matter. If he fails 
this time, then he brings the matter 



1H4 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

to the church and the church settles 
it, either by causing the parties to be 
reconciled to each other or by ex- 
cluding one or both. 

But they do not deal with an of- 
fense against the church; such as, 
drunkenness, idolatry, lying, or a 
general course of such conduct as the 
church considers hurtful to the cause, 
in the same way as they do a private 
wrong or trespass. In these public 
wrongs, the deacon of the church us- 
ually notifies the church of the 
wrong. The deacons sometimes at- 
tempt to get the offending party to 
forsake the error of his way. The 
church then usually appoints a com- 
mittee or instructs the deacons to 
visit the offender and ask him to at- 
tend the church meeting and give 
satisfaction. When he comes to the 
church, if he satisfies the church that 
he has repented or is repentant, the 
church forgives him, and admonish- 
es him to forsake the error of his 
way; but if he persists in his disorder- 
ly course or refuses to come to the 
church, he is excluded. The crimes 
for which members are excluded are, 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 135 

all violations of the laws of the state 
or nation, lying, drunkenness, refus- 
ing to pay honest debt?, joining Se- 
cret Societies of any kind, engaging 
in myrth, such as dances or revelries, 
and for idolatry. They are very 
strict as regards the payment of just 
debts; also regarding truth and hon- 
esty. 

RECEPTION OF MEMBERS. 

Almost always before conference 
closes the door of the church is man- 
ifest as being open for the reception 
of members. There are three ways 
in which a person may become a 
member of their body. (1 ) by expe- 
rience and baptism; (2) by letter of 
dismission from another church of 
the same faith and order; and, (3) by 
reconciliation. In the first mode of 
reception the candidate comes for- 
ward and either gives the minister 
his hand, or states that he desires to 
talk with the church. Almost al- 
ways the candidate manifests much 
fear and trembling, deploring the 
idea of hvoocrisv; and manifesting. 
bv his looks, that earnest desire of 



136 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

heart for purity. He is then invited 
by the minister to be seated, when he 
is requested to state some of the deal- 
ings of the Lord with him. He will 
most generally state his deep convic- 
tion of heart and mind, because of 
his sins; and tells of his cries and 
supplications to God for his mercy; of 
the manifestation of the grace of God 
in the pardon of his sins; of occasion- 
al blessings with the presence of his 
glory; and, lastly, of his love for the 
church, and his desire to walk in the 
footsteps of the Savior, obeying his 
commandments. After he is through 
relating his experience, the presiding 
officer, or minister, asks the church 
if any one desires to ask any ques- 
tions. If he has been clear on all 
the points above named, there are 
but few, if any, questions asked him. 
If the church has failed to get full 
satisfaction of his true conviction, 
several questions are asked in order 
to draw him out fully, so that full 
fellowship may exist. 

Christian fellowship is the one 
great object of the church, and they 
claim that without it no church can 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 137 

prosper, therefore no person is receiv- 
ed until the church is fully satisfied 
that the candidate is sincere in his 
effort to become a member. When 
the minister, or presiding officer, 
finds that no further questions are to 
be asked, he takes the vote of the 
body or church, thus: "All who re- 
ceive this person as a member of 
this body, with all its privileges, will 
hold up your right hands." If all 
hands are up, he is at once declared 
a member, if not, the vote is revers- 
ed, any objector must state his objec- 
tions in the presence of the church 
and applicant. If the objections are 
deemed sufficient for rejection, the 
applicant is rejected. If the objec- 
tions are not sufficient, the matter is 
investigated and settled by the body. 
This is done so that no member can, 
by malice or prejudice, prevent any 
one else from becoming a member. 
Members are never received by a 
majority of the church, they require 
unity. 

Members from other churches of 
the same faith are received by letter 
stating that the bearer is in fellow- 



138 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

ship with the church granting the 
letter. 

The third method, that of reconcil- 
iation, consists in restoring to the 
fellowship of the church members 
who had been excluded. When the 
church feels that an excluded mem- 
ber has fully repented of the sin for 
which he was excluded, he is restor- 
ed to membership, if he desires res- 
toration. 

BAPTISM. 

The word "Baptist" carries with it 
the idea of baptism, the word "Bap- 
tism" or "Baptizo" "to make whelm- 
ed/' i. e., "fully wet," and this word 
is from the Greek verb "Bdbto" "to 
whelm/' i. e. "to cover wholly with 
a fluid." I quote from Strong's Con- 
cordance and Greek Lexicon. The 
Baptists who compose Fisher's River 
Association fully believe and prac- 
tice the above, their mode of bap- 
tism being that of immersion. In 
this body, or the church composing 
it, I believe that none practice ad- 
ministering the ordinance of Baptism 
except ordained Elders, and no per- 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 139 

son is considered a fit subject for 
baptism except persons who have 
been regenerated and born of the 
Spirit of God. 

Baptism is always public and gen- 
erally on the Sabbath day, though 
there is no fixed rule as to the day 
of the week. 

We had just previously noted that 
baptism was always by immersion 
and will now give the manner. 
When a person or persons are to be 
baptized a place is sought where the 
water is from two and one-half to 
three feet deep. When the time ap- 
pointed arrives the congregation us- 
ually sings a hymn, joins in prayer; 
and then, the prayer being ended, 
the minister takes the candidate by 
the hand, leads him down into the 
water. The candidate then turns his 
face down the stream, crosses his 
hands upon his (By the use of the 
word "his," we do not mean that 
women are excluded from this rite.) 
breast and gives himself up into the 
hands of the minister. Then the 
minister puts one hand to the back 
of the neck or head, the other to the 



140 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

hands of the candidate, and says, in 
substance, "In obedience to the com- 
mand of our Lord and Savior Jesus 
Christ, I baptize you in the name of 
the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost/' 
We then plunge or dip the candi- 
date under the water. The water en- 
tirely covers the candidate. They 
claim that nothing short of a burial 
in the water is baptism, and will of- 
ten repeat, "Buried with him in bap- 
tism/' All persons who become 
members are baptized by some or- 
dained minister of the Primitive 
Baptist order, even if he has been 
immersed before by some other 
order. 

COMMUNION. 

Communion, or the Lord's Supper, 
consists of taking bread and wine. 
This, as all other of their rites, is 
public, and usually on Sunday, at 
the close of the worship, or after 
preaching. When the preaching ser- 
vice is ended, a recess of from thirty 
to forty-five minutes is given, during 
which time the deacons prepare a 
table with a little bread made of 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 141 

flour and water (no leaven being 
used), and some wine. Seats are ar- 
ranged in order, so that all the mem- 
bers of like faith may be seated. 
Members of other denominations or 
orders are not invited to commune 
with them. This is not because they 
have any hard feelings towards oth- 
ers, or do not believe that they are 
all unconverted, but because this is 
a communion with the Lord, by his 
command, and no person who is not 
in full church fellowship is allowed 
to partake with them; even their own 
members who are "under dealings/ 7 
that is, stand charged with some dis- 
order, though they have not been 
tried and adjudged guilty, must ab- 
stain from the communion until they 
are set in order by the charge being 
either removed or disproved, or he 
has been forgiven the offence. 

When the members are all seated 
near the table they usually sing a 
hymn, then the minister takes the 
bread in his hand, asks the members 
to join in thanks and prayer. After 
a short prayer, he breaks the bread 
into small pieces, gives it to the dea- 



142 HISTORY OF FISHER ? S RIVER 

con or deacons, who pass the bread 
around to each member who takes a 
piece and eats it in the most solemn 
and affective manner. During the 
time he is breaking the bread, and 
also while the deacons serve it, the 
minister discourses about the death 
or sufferings of the Savior for his 
people. After the bread is served, 
he takes the wine, and after a short 
prayer and thanksgiving, pours some 
of it into a goblet or small vessel, 
gives it to the deacon or deacons, 
who serve it. Then they sing a 
hymn and go out. 

WASHING FEET. 

The washing of each other's feet 
is practiced by most of the churches 
in this Association. It is claimed by 
them that, "If I, your Lord and Mas- 
ter, have washed your feet, ye also 
ought to wash each other's feet" is as 
much a command as is the command 
for baptism, or communion; and all 
agree that feet-washing should be 
practiced in the churches. But there 
are a few who believe that the com- 
mand simply implies humility and 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 143 

not in a literal act. So it is agreed 
that no test of fellowship shall be 
made either the one way or the oth- 
er. All, who desire, can wash; those, 
who do not so desire, are at liberty to 
refrain from washing. This com- 
mand is usually complied with at 
the close of communion services, 
and before the singing of the last or 
closing hymn. Basins and water 
are prepared, as well as long towels. 
After the taking of the wine, some 
one (usually the minister) takes off 
his coat and lays it aside. Then 
takes one of the towels, girds it 
about his body, pours water into a 
basin, and announces that if any one 
is willing, he will wash his feet. 
Some one then pulls off his shoea 
and socks, and the washing is begun. 
When he is through, the brother, 
whose feet he has washed, washes 
his, so that they "wash each other's 
feet. In like manner they w r ash in 
pairs until all w r ho desire so to do 
have engaged in the act of washing 
feet. At a first thought of the mat- 
ter, this seems quite simple, but to 
see the act is entirely different. In- 



144 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

stead of mirth, it produces the oppo- 
site effect. The writer has often ?een 
the tears drop from the eyes of the 
person doing the washing, and fall 
upon the foot or feet of the brother 
whose feet he is washing; and, during 
the while, many! yes, very many in 
the audience will be shedding tears. 
At the conclusion a hymn is sung 
and they go out without the bene- 
diction. 

FAMILY WORSHIP. 

Family worship is not obligatory 
upon the members of the church, 
some of them practice having family 
prayers, others do not; yet, all agree 
that it is a duty and profitable for 
the Christian. 

FAITH. 

The writer is unable to summon 
words to express the exact belief, as 
regards this subject, but it is agreed 
by all the ministers and members, so 
far as we know, that faith is the 
moving power of the Christian; and 
by it he is prompted to prayer and 
all other Christian exercises. They 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 145 

believe that no person is able to 
"act faith ," and thereby become a 
child of God; but that "Faith come» 
by hearing, and hearing by the word 
of God/' that is, that no person, who 
has not been quickened by the Spir- 
it of God, and made able to hear and 
understand his teachings, is moved 
by faith; but that sinners, who are 
quickened by the Spirit of God, are 
made to believe that God exists and 
is a rewarder of those that diligently 
seek him; and thus being moved by 
faith, they pray and God hears and 
grants their petition; that all persons 
who pray God for the pardon of their 
sins, receive pardon; that this faith 
prompts the preacher to his preach- 
ing, as well as the hearer to his hear- 
ing; that this faith is not obtained 
by the act of the creature, but is the 
gift of God. 

HOPE. 

They preach that after the poor 
sinner has been moved by faith and 
"shows his faith by his works, " that 
he is enabled to rest in hope; that 
hope is not a mere supposition or 



146 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

wish, but that it is composed of reli- 
ance and expectation; and that it 
cannot be obtained by human skill, 
but that it is the outgrowth of expe- 
rience; that this experience is brought 
about by tribulations and sufferings; 
that when the sinner receives hope 
in Christ, that he no longer attempts 
to find rest in the works of the flesh, 
or in the works of righteousness, 
which he has done, but that he, by 
faith, sees the righteousness of Christ 
as having been wrought for him, and 
rests in the belief that Jesus loves, 
and has ever loved him; that he left 
the glorious courts of heaven, came 
to earth, was tempted, suffered, bled, 
and died for him; and that through 
his death he (the sinner) is saved 
from the condemnation and eternal 
banishment, which his sinful nature 
had justly merited, that he relies 
solely on the love, merit, and right- 
eousness of Christ, and does not go 
about to establish his own; that 
though he is often tempted and does 
many things which he ought not to 
do, and even repents of; yet the grace 
of God is sufficient for him; and thus 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 147 

he rests in hope. 

CHARITY. 

The belief of the Baptists of this 
Association as regards charity, is that 
charity is not an act, but a power or 
condition which prompts the indi- 
vidual, moved by it, to action; that 
Charity is love in its broadest sense; 
that persons may be prompted to 
give, even much or all of their time, 
or goods, and if the giving is not 
prompted by love (charity), it does 
not profit the giver; and that if the 
giver is prompted by charity (love), 
then he is profited by the givinir, 
even more than the person to whom 
the gift was made; that "It is better 
to give than to receive." So their 
ministers are very delicate about re- 
ceiving gifts from their brethren. 
The writer will, perhaps, not soon 
forget an incident which occurred at 
the Association held with the church 
at Rock House, October, 1901. It 
was then and there stated to the As- 
sociation that Elder T. J. Lawson's 
son had been sick for some time, 
causing his father to lose much time 



148 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

and incidentally to come to want. 
The statement had no sooner been 
made than the brethren began to 
take out their purses and hurry 
down the aisle to the clerk's desk, 
and there lay down their money for 
the use of the destitute elder. There 
seemed to be so much love manifest- 
ed among the brotherhood, and the 
money came in so fast that the clerk 
(Elder A. M. Denny) arose from the 
desk and began to exclaim, saying, 
"No doubt many here will say that 
this is charity; this is not charity, 
but the fruits of charity. Charity is 
love," etc., etc. This, so far as we 
know, is the accepted belief as re- 
gards charity. 




THE MINISTRY. 

The Gospel Ministry has been 
much discussed among the Primitive 
Baptist of this ^Association. From the 
earliest history of the body there has 
been a confirmed prejudice against a 
salaried ministry, which, no doubt, 
is more or less due to the fact that 
one of the great points upon which 
the Baptist Church split, or divided, 
in 1835, was the raising of funds for 
the support of the ministry, both at 
home and abroad; the Missionary or 
Means Baptists dwelling at length on 
the duty of the Church to contribute 
to the temporal support of the min- 
istry, while the Primitive or Anti- 
Means Baptists took a different view, 
contending that the God who called 
them would see them fed. 

THE CALL. 

This is a subject upon which all 
the ministry of this body fully agree, 
that the great essential preparation 
of a preacher is to be "Called of God/' 
This call is manifested to the indi- 



150 HISTORY OF FISHER^ RIVER 

vidua! by the Spirit of God impress- 
ing the subject with an obligation 
and impression to preach the word, 
or gospel; and when the individual 
resists such an impression, it in- 
creases rather than diminishes. Also, 
when any person is so called, not 
only he, but the church will feel his 
call and realize that he is profitable 
for the ministry, and will have a de- 
sire for him to be set apart to per- 
form the ordinance of the gospel. 

LICENSE. 

When the church feels that one of 
its members is impressed to preach 
and the member himself evidences 
the same, he is usually invited to 
lead in prayer, and to talk before the 
church. After finding that he man- 
ifests some power in prayer and 
preaching, they usually give him a 
license to exercise. Some times the 
license is limited to the bounds of 
his home Association; and, some 
times, especially if he seems very 
gifted, he is fully liberated to preach 
wherever and whenever God may 
give him liberty. 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 151 
ORDINATION. 

After the church becomes thor- 
oughly convinced that he is called 
of God and profitable for the minis- 
try, a presbytery of elders is request- 
ed for the purpose of his ordination. 
This request is usually — though not 
necessarily — made to the Associa- 
tion, and that body selects the elders 
who are to compose the presbytery. 
When the presbytery meets, they 
choose one of their members to pre- 
side, and, also, appoint some one to 
serve as secretary. They also usu- 
ally call in all the ordained elders 
and deacons present to act with the 
presbytery in the ordination. When 
the presbytery is organized, the can- 
didate is given, by the church, into 
the hands of the presbytery, who 
proceeds to examine him as regards 
his belief in God, in his Son Jesus, 
and in his w r ord, as recorded in the 
Holy Scriptures. If the presbytery 
is fully satisfied that the candidate is 
called and his views on the Scrip- 
tures are in accordance with the gen- 
eral tenor of the Scriptures, and that 



152 HISTORY OF FISHER ? S RIVER 

he contributes all the praise and glo- 
ry to God in the salvation of sinners, 
then the presbytery engages in prayer 
to God, (one of their ministers lead- 
ing) during which time each mem- 
ber of the presbytery lays his hand 
on the candidate's head. After pray- 
er is concluded, some member of the 
presbytery, usually the moderator or 
chairman, proceeds to charge the 
candidate with the responsibility 
now resting upon him; also admon- 
ishing him to faithfulness in the 
ministry, etc. 

SUPPORT OF THE MINISTRY. 

While the temporal support of the 
ministry has been much discussed 
among many people, and much ef- 
fort has been made to raise funds for 
the ministry; yet this matter has 
never been one to burden or harass 
the laity of this Association, neither 
have the ministers of this body, or 
collection of churches, spent their 
time in trying to collect, or cause to 
be collected, money for the purpose 
of disseminating the gospel among 
the people. All the ministers of this 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 153 

Association labor for the support of 
themselves and their families. They 
are industrious and economical; and, 
being so, provide for their own 
homes; and some of them are even 
able to help others. As there are 
quite a number of ministers in the 
Association the churches are sup- 
plied with pastors, and no one bur- 
dened much, it is considered, and 
often remarked, that the layman 
loses his time in attending the church 
meeting, the same as the pastor who 
serves him; and, while the minister 
travels more and goes oftener than 
the layman, he is always received 
and cared for, his horse fed, etc., free 
of cost. The writer never saw a pub- 
lic collection taken up among the 
Baptists of this Association, except 
once for an afflicted minister, the 
facts of which are given under the 
title of "Charity" in this little book. 
But, while they do not take up col- 
lections, yet the laymembers do some 
times give to the ministers; but it is 
done in such a way as to prevent any 
show or display. The ministers make 
no charge for marriages and funerals. 



154 HISTOKY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

If anything is given then they accept 
it; if not, they do not grumble or 
complain. They claim to preach the 
gospel free of charge, for the gospel's 
sake; and often travel many miles to 
do so. They usually travel by pri- 
vate conveyance, riding or driving 
their own stock. Sometimes the 
minister travels on the train, then 
the laity usually pays his expenses 
and conveys him from place to place, 
when off the railroad. We have 
known the ministers to spend weeks 
and sometimes months in traveling 
from church to church, and preach- 
ing the gospel. 

DEACONS. 

The deacon is an officer in the 
church whose duty it is to look after 
the general conduct of the church 
and when any disorder is manifested 
in any of the members, or if any of 
the members become alienated from 
the church or each other, to make 
an effort to restore order or peace; 
and, if he fails to do so, he reports 
the same to the church. Also, he 
must look after the poor of the 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 155 

church and see that the minister's 
needs are supplied, in addition to 
serving the bread and wine at the 
communion service. There are us- 
ually two deacons, some times three, 
to each church, who are chosen for 
their fitness for the place, the church 
itself making the choice. After the 
deacon is selected he is ordained by 
a presbytery the same as an elder. 
It is understood that no person can 
be a deacon unless he is temperate, 
grave, not a striker, that is, taking 
or hearing one side of the question 
and refusing the other; or cleaving 
to one brother and refusing the oth- 
er; and his wife also must be a tem- 
perate, quiet woman, and not a 
brawler or disturber. 




A SKETCH OF THE CHURCH S. 

We will now give a short sketch 
of each church, under its own name. 
This sketch of the churches is based 
on the best information available to 
the writer; and while omissions or 
mistakes may occur, we have no in- 
tention whatever of giving any one 
church a better or fuller sketch than 
any other. We hope the reader will 
consider this and not censure the 
author. 

DEEP CREEK. 

The church at Deep Creek in Yad- 
kin county, is the oldest in the As- 
sociation, also one among the oldest, 
if not the oldest in this section of the 
State. This church was established 
sometime prior to 1778, as the min- 
utes of their meetings and conferen- 
ces show them to have been holding 
regular monthly conferences at that 
time, with Elder Joseph Murphy as 
their pastor. We do not know un- 
der whose care the church was or- 
ganized, but, from the best informa- 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 157 

tion obtainable, believe that Elder 
John Gano was the pioneer Baptist 
minister in this section. According to 
Benedict's "History of the Baptist, 5 ' 
Elder Gano resided and preached in 
the .Jersey settlement of North Caro- 
lina as early as 1758, gathering to- 
gether the church of that section. 
This organization was soon "broken 
up" he says, "by the incursions of 
the Indiana, and he returned to New 
Jersey, from whence he had removed 
hither." From the same author we 
learn that two young men by the 
name of Joseph and William Mur- 
phy were baptized by Elder Shubal 
Stearns and began to preach so young, 
that they were called "Murphy's 
boys." This Joseph Murphy was pas- 
tor of Deep Creek church in Yadkin 
county (then called Surry). Yadkin 
county was formed from a part of 
Surry county. In 1817, at the month- 
ly meeting in February, Elder Josh- 
ua Carter was installed as pastor. 
The church had previously asked 
for ministerial help from Grassy 
Knob and Flat Rock churches, and 
in response Elders John Angel and 



158 HISTORY OF FISHER ? S RIVER 

William Britain, from their respect- 
ive churches, came to Deep Creek, 
and placed Elder Carter in care of 
said church. He served for several 
years and was succeeded by Elder 
James J. Speer, who served until his 
death, February 3, 1853. In May of 
the same year, Elder John Jones 
was made pastor and served until 
his death, in December of 1875. Soon 
after his death, Elder A. M. Denny 
was chosen pastor and is still in their 
service. This church has continued 
one steady course. It opposed the 
Mission system in its early history, 
and would not follow the other 
churches of the Yadkin Association 
in building up the Missionary cause 
with a Missionary fund. So she 
joined with other small churches, of 
her own faith, and became a compo- 
nent part of Fisher's River Associa- 
tion. Her number, while Elder 
Speer was her pastor, was 26; at pres- 
ent it is about 40. 

fisher's river. 

This Church is one among the 
oldest in the Association. When, or 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 159 

by whom it was organized, Ave have 
no way of knowing. But we find 
from the records, now r in the hands 
of her clerk, that this church was 
holding regular monthly services 
and conferences as early as 1808. 
While the records have been careful- 
ly preserved, } r et the fading of ink 
and the manner of keeping them 
make it impossible for us to ascer- 
tain the change of pastor, or who 
was pastor in the earlier history of 
the church. But we find that an 
Elder Washburn was pastor as early 
as 1825, and an Elder Potter in 1830. 
We also note that, in 1822, a new 
meetinghouse had been built on the 
Ararat River, and services were be- 
ing held there under the w r atchcare 
of this church; and that, in 1824, 
this church had 74 members. In 
1829 a delegation was sent by this 
body to each of the following church- 
es, to-wit: State Line, Little Yadkin, 
Cool Spring, Ararat, Mitchell's Riv- 
er, Snow Creek, Cod} 7 's Creek, and 
Stuart's Creek. The best informa- 
tion we can get is, that the purpose 
of this move w r as to consider the sit- 



160 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

nation as regards the "Mission Sys- 
tem/ 7 and "Sunday Schools/' which 
finally led to the holding of a con- 
vention at Cody's Creek, in 1832, to 
which this church sent Drury Hodg- 
es, Drury Kersy, and C. Howard, as 
delegates; and the name "Fisher's 
River" being given to the new Asso- 
ciation is but a fitting memory of the 
active part she took in the constitu- 
tion of the body. 

This church has had several elders 
to serve her as pastor, whose names 
we do not recall; but Elder John 
Jones served her a long time; and 
more recently, she was served by El- 
der M. G. Harbour; and, at present, 
by Elder W. H. Atkinson. She has 
had no great revivals at any time, 
but a regular, quiet progress, and all 
the while trying to honor the God 
in whom she believes. Her present 
number is only 19 members. 

ARARAT. 

This church is located at present 
four miles west of Pilot Mountain, at 
a point known as Cedar Hill. It was 
constituted with about 25 or 30 mem- 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 161 

bers, on the 12th day of September, 
1822, by a presbytery of elders, tc- 
wit: William Davis, Manan Hil 1 , 
Thomas Oliphant, and John Wilson. 
Elder Oliphant was its first pastor, 
and served for a number of years, 
and was succeeded by Elder John 
Jones, who served from the time of 
his installment until his death in 
December of 1875. Elder Gabriel 
Denny was then chosen, and is their 
present pastor. This church has been 
a very prosperous one. We might 
truthfully say that the churches of 
Hogan's Creek and Union are both 

the outgrowth of this one. We will 
also state that Elders M. G. Harbour, 
G. Denny, A. M. Denny, R. R. Key, 
W. M. Stone, and the writer were all 
ordained while members of this body. 
At one time she had some trouble in 
regard to the question of correspond- 
ence with the Mountain Association. 
This, however, was soon settled, and 
love, peace, and fellowship has ex- 
isted ever since. The present mem- 
bership is about 65. 



162 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 



FRANKLIN. 

This church is one of the original 
churches that went into the organi- 
zation of the Association. We can- 
not get the date of its origin; but, ac- 
cording to its records, it was in con- 
ference in the date of 1824, on the 
1st Saturday in February, with El- 
der P. B. Cockerham as their pastor. 
Elder Cockerham was one of the or- 
ganizers of the Association. Since 
that time, Elders Elijah Ramey and 
T. J. Lawson each served a long 
while, and now Elder W. H. Atkin- 
son is their pastor. Their present 
number is about 45 members. 

ROUND PEAK. 

This church is among the oldest in 
the Association, and is one of the 
original churches that went into the 
constitution of the Association. We 
have no record of the presbytery con- 
stituting the church; but, from the 
best information available, we be- 
lieve it was organized under the care 
of Elder Silas Jones, who served it 
from the time of its organization, 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 163 

which was about 1825. Elder Cal- 
vin Jones also served as pastor some 
years, and Elder Nathan Alberty 
quite a number of years. Elders 
John Vass, Eli Kane, Wesley Brin- 
dle, Wm. M. Stone, J. D. Draughn, 
and, we believe, Elder H. Cain, all 
served for a longer or shorter period 
of time. This church has never ex- 
perienced any "great revival" (as 
some call it), but has pursued a con- 
tinued course of such conduct as 
would prove to the world that she 
fully believed her Articles of Faith 
which — though worded differently — 
contained the same meaning as the 
Old London Confession of Faith. 
Their present membership is only 
about 13 members. 

STATE ROAD. 

This church is quite an old body, 
having organized (from the best in- 
formation obtainable) about the date 
of 1830. Elder Pleasant Cockerham 
was its first pastor, and caused the 
house for worship to be erected. Af- 
ter the death of Elder Cockerham 
Elders T. J. Lawson, M. G. Flarbour, 



164 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

A. C. Woodruff, J. M. Wyatt, and 
others all served for a longer or 
shorter period of time. Their pres- 
ent pastor is Elder J. M. Royal. 
This church has never been a very 
strong body as to numbers. They 
had some severe troubles with their 
pastor (Elder Wyatt) at one time, the 
particulars of which the writer is not 
able to give. In this connection, we 
would say that but little care had 
been taken of records, and much of 
the desired information is unobtain- 
able. Their membership, at present, 
is about 33 members. 

SWAN CREEK. 

This church was organized some- 
time prior to 1832, and was one of 
the churches that went into the or- 
ganization of Fisher's River Associ- 
ation. At the beginning it was in 
Surry county (now Yadkin), near 
the town of Boonville (we learn), but 
we have none of its records or pro- 
ceedings. It ceased to exist, as an 
organization, about the date of 1865, 
and most of its members joined at 
Deep Creek. 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 165 
FLAT SHOALS. 

This church is at present located 
in Stokes county, N. C, about four 
or five miles north west of Danberry. 
It was a part of the Association as 
early as 1848, with Landon H. South- 
ern as a delegate, who afterward 
served the Association as clerk for a 
session or two. We do not know 
when or where it was first organized, 
but the first w r e know of it was at its 
present place of worship, with (as we 
believe) Elder Robert W. Hill as pas- 
tor. Elder A. Moran served a long 
while as her pastor, and now Elder 
W. H. Atkinson is serving her. She 
was granted a Letter of Dismission, 
about 1863; and, sometime afterward, 
joined Mayo Association. 

ROCK SPRING. 

This church is located near the 
junction of Mitchell and Yadkin 
rivers, and was organized in 1840. 
The presbytery was composed of El- 
ders Robert Welhourn and Robert 
Pardue. We have not the number 
of members at the beginning; but, 



166 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

from the best information we can 
obtain, the church was small from 
the beginning. At first this church 
belonged to Roaring River Associa- 
tion, and joined Fisher's River by 
letter. Elder Robert Welbourn served 
them as pastor for a period of thirty- 
two years and seven months. He 
was, as we believe, a good man, and 
the service faithfully performed. 
Elder W. J. Combs served them about 
one year, Elder M. G. Harbour about 
nine years, and Elder Wm. R. Wel- 
bourn (grandson of Elder Robert 
Welbourn), about six years, Elder 

Gabriel Denny about three years, 
Elder Russell Key two years, and 
Elder C. B. Denny about six years. 
While this church has never, at any 
time, experienced a great revival, yet 
it has for many years contained some 
very lovely members, who are ex- 
ceeding firm in the faith. Perhaps 
its being so near the church of Mul- 
berry caused its membership to be 
small, especially during recent years. 
Its present membership is small. 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 167 



FLOWER GAP. 

At a time unknown to the w T riter, 
the church at Round Peak set off an 
arm at a place in Carroll county, Va., 
known as Flower Gap, about two 
miles from the town of Lambsburg. 
This little vine, watered by grace, 
grew in numbers to about 25, when 
the ministers and messengers com- 
posing Fisher's River Association 
thought best to constitute them into 
a body. And, accordingly, they ap- 
pointed a presbytery of elders, to-wit: 
John Jones and E. R. Canter who, 
on the 21st day of August, 1841, met 
with the arm; and, finding them 
sound in the faith and practice, pro- 
ceeded to constitute them into a body 
known under the name of the church 
at Flower Gap. They chose as their 
pastor Elder Hugh Jones, who served 
them faithfully for a period of thir- 
ty-six years. During all this time 
they continued to prosper. We will 
also mention one of the deacons, F. 
M. McCraw, whose service was of 
much value, not only to the church, 
but also to the Association. Some- 



168 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

time, about 1878 or 1880, they chose 
Elder C. Blackburn, who served 
them about six months. Elder A. 
M. Branscome served two years, and 
then they chose Elder J. M. Wyatt, 
who served about six years. Since 
that time their present faithful pas- 
tor, Elder J. D. Vass, has been ser- 
ving them. When Zion Association 
was continued she became a compo- 
nent part of that body. Her present 
number is about 65 or 70 members. 

fisher's gap. 

Far up in the mountains, near a 
small town or village, by the name 
of Roaring Gap, is a band of pil- 
grims known by the name of the 
church at Fisher's Gap. This church 
was constituted in 1844, by a pres- 
bytery of elders, chosen by Fisher's 
River Association, to-wit: Elders 
John Jones and E. Canter, who met 
with nine members, with Letters of 
Dismission from other churches; and, 
finding them orthodox, organized or 
constituted them into a body. They 
chose as their pastor Elder Elijah 
Ramey, who served them for a peri- 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 169 

od of fourteen years. In 1858 they 
chose Elder T. J. Lawson as their 
pastor, who served them very faith- 
fully for forty-two years, and died. 
We do not know who is his succes- 
sor. The present membership is 
about 56 members. 

tom's creek. 

The church at Tom's Creek, loca- 
ted about eight miles north of Pilot 
Mountain, was at first an arm of the 
old church, originally called "Red 
Ca>>in," now "State Line." In August, 
1856, it was constituted into a church, 
Elders James Hill, Daniel Connor, 
Claybourn Plaster, and Austin J. 
Cassell, serving as a presbytery. 
They at once elected Austin J. Cas- 
sell as their pastor, who served them 
faithfully until 1868. Elder Wm. 
Moran then served them one year 
and died. At his departure his son, 
Alexander Moran, became pastor, 
and served until 1884. Upon his 
moving to another county he resign- 
ed, and Elder H. Cain served them 
until 1899, when he resigned. Elder 
H. D. Mickey served two years; and, 



170 HISTORY OF FISHER ? S RIVFR 

upon his resignation. Elder G. 0. 
Key was chosen and is their present 
pastor. 

In the date of 1867, this body re- 
ceived more members than any 
church in the Association ever re- 
ceived during the same space of time, 
baptizing 67 members. The year 
previous 18 had been added, and the 
year following 13 were baptized. 
Ninety-eight members were received 
by this body in three years. 

This church may well be called 
the mother of Volunteer, Rock House 
and Albion. There have been quite 
a number of Elders ordained here. 
Those now living and in the minis- 
try are, H. Cain, Joseph Atkinson, 
and John Moran. While there has 
been some trouble in this body, it is 
now a warm and prosperous church, 
numbering about 75 members. 

WHITE OAK SPRING. 

On the 26th day of October, 1872, 
while Fisher's River Association was 
in conference at Fisher's Gap, a pres- 
bytery of elders was appointed to 
meet at White Oak Spring, about 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 171 

two miles north east of Mt, Airy, 
and organize a church there if 
thought expedient. They met soon 
afterwards and constituted or organ- 
ized a church there with a very few 
members. They chose Elder H. Cain 
as their pastor, who served them un- 
til they disbanded and joined other 
churches by letter. Half of the mem- 
bers joined the church at Stuart's 
Creek, and half joined at Tom's 
Creek. This disbanding occurred 
about the year 1890. 

ELK SPUR. r 

The church at Elk Spur was con- 
stituted in December, 1873. The fol- 
lowing elders, chosen by Fisher's 
River Association, serving as a pres- 
bytery, to-wit: Eiders John Jones, 
Hugh Jones, and John Vass; and 
who called to their assistance, dea- 
cons F. M. McCraw, Henry Hawks, 
and Levi Edwards. There were only 
11 members at the time the church 
was constituted. Watered by grace, 
fed by the word of God, and minis- 
tered to by Eider Hugh Jones until 
the Lord saw fit to call him home; 



172 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

then by Elders John Vass, Eli Kane, 
and, at present, A. Gardner. They 
have slowly increased in numbers, 
until, at present, they number about 
40 members. 

There has been very little trouble 
in this body. And, though few in 
numbers, yet they are strong in faith, 
continually trusting that He who 
called will ever keep them. 

This church was one of the num- 
ber petitioning for a letter to join in 
the organization of Zion Association, 
and became a part of that body. 

goby's creek. 

About five or six miles south of 
Dobson (the county seat of Surry 
county) is the spot upon which stood 
the old church known as Cody's 
Creek. We have no way of know- 
ing when or by whom it was consti- 
tuted, but learn that it was one of 
the original churches that went into 
the constitution of the Association. 
The Association was organized at 
this church in 1832. In 1848 we 
find that Elder Nathan Alberty was 
a delegate from that church to the 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 173 

Association; and learn that he served 
that church as pastor from 1849 un- 
til his death, or nearly a half centu- 
ry. In his old age the membership 
grew very small by reason of death 
and other causes; and, about the date 
of 1895, Elders M. G. Harbour and G. 
Denny, serving as a presbytery, dis- 
solved the church, by giving each of 
the members a letter of dismission. 
Most of the members joined the 
church at Liberty. 

SETTER LIBERTY. 

A church by the name of Senter 
was organized about five miles south 
west of Dobson, on the 13th day of 
March, 1^79. Thirteen members 
bearing letters of dismission from 
other churches of the same faith met 
with Elders B. E. Caudle, Wm. Lun- 
dy, A. J. Taylor, J. D. Draughn, and 
A. C. Woodruff, who, acting as a 
presbytery, after examination, found 
them in order and constituted them 
into a church. At first this church 
was a part of the Mountain Associa- 
tion, but afterward joined Fisher's 
River by letter. They chose Elder 



174 HISTORY OF FISHER'S R1VEK 

Draughn as their pastor, and he 
served them until 1888, when they 
decided to move their place of wor- 
ship to Liberty, at which place Elder 
G. Denny had been serving for some- 
time. (Elder Draughn ceasing to 
serve.) Elder Denny continued to 
serve them (both bodies uniting un- 
der the name of Liberty). Elder 
Denny served, in all, tw r enty-six 
years, after which Elder Harbour 
became pastor. This body is quite a 
lovely band of christians, numbering 
34 members. 

ZION HILL. 

The church at Zion Hill is located 
about twelve miles north-west of Mt, 
Airy, N. C. On Saturday before the 
fourth Sunday in July, 1878, Elders 
Wm. Lundy, Isaac Webb, B. E. Cau- 
dle, and J, D. Draughn, serving as a 
presbytery, met with 20 members, 
bearing letters from Crooked Creek 
and Good Hope — both of these 
churches then belonged to the Mount- 
ain Association — at the above-named 
place; and, on due examination find- 
ing them orthodox, constituted them 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 175 

into a church. They chose Elder 
Wm. Lundy as their first pastor. 
This church joined the Mountain 
Association; but, in 1891, joined 
Fisher's River Association by letter 
from the Mountain. Elder Lundy 
served them nine years, at the end 
of which time they chose Elder D. S. 
Webb, of New River Association, 
who served them one year. Then, 
for a while, they were deprived of a 
pastor. In 1893 they elected their 
present pastor, Elder J. D. Vass. 
This church has had no great revi- 
val-, and no divisions. Theyjoined 
the new (Zion) Association at the 
time of its organization. Their pres- 
ent number is about 30. 

MULBERRY. 

About ten or twelve miles south 
west of Dobson, which town is the 
county seat of Surry county, the 
above-named church is located. On 
the 27th day of July, 1881, Elder 
Wm. Lundy, of the Mountain Asso- 
ciation, and Elders J. D. Draughn, 
T. J. Lawson, and A. C. Woodruff, 
of Fisher's River Association, met 



176 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

with 23 members, bearing letters of 
dismission from other churches of 
the same faith; and, finding them 
sound in the faith, constituted them 
into a body. They adopted the Ar- 
ticles of Faith and Rules of Decorum 
in common use among Primitive 
Baptists, and chose Elder J. D. 
Draughn as their pastor, who served 
them seven years. Eider W. R. Wel- 
bourn served them two years, Elder 
T. J. Lawson one year, and Elder C. 
B. Denny has been serving them ever 
since 1894. This church has never 
had any great revivals in it, yet there 
has been occasional accessions and a 
few exclusions. This body contains 
some very able and highly esteemed 
members. Their number at present 
is about 25. 

hogan's creek. 

The church at Hogan's Creek is 
located about three miles from Si- 
loam depot in Surry county. It was 
first an arm of the church at Ararat, 
but soon received several members 
by experience and baptism, and the 
mother church granted letters of dis- 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 177 

mission to the members constituting 
the arm;* and, in the date of 1885, 
the Association appointed a presby- 
tery of elders, to-wit: Gabriel Denny, 
A. M. Denny, and Nathan Alberty, 
who met with the said members, 23 
in number, and, finding them sound 
in the faith (or orthodox), constitu- 
ted or organized them into a church 
under the above name. They at 
once chose Elder M. G. Harbour (one 
of their number) as their moderator, 
who has served them quite faithfully 
ever since. This church has for the 
most of the time been prosperous. 
At one time it numbered more than 
60 members, but quite a number 
took letters with which they joined 
in the constitution of the church at 
Union, it being an arm of that body. 
The church now numbers about 30 
members. 



*An arm of a church, as understood by the Primitive Baptists 
of this Association, is a body of members set off from the main 
church with authority to receive members, but not having au- 
thority to transact any other business. They do not represent 
themselves in Associations, except through the main body or 
church to which they belong. 



178 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 
UNION. 

The church at Union was organi- 
zed in May, 1888. Elder D. S. Webb, 
of New River Association, made sev- 
eral successive appointments, and 
preached with much power in a com- 
munity about six or eight miles east 
of Dobson, Surry county, N. C. The 
word, effective in power, was heard 
with much joy, and many came 
home to their friends, bearing the 
glad tidings of salvation and 16 were 
baptized at one time. On Saturday, 
April 21, 1888, the Association being 
in conference with the church at 
Rock Spring, in Surry county, N. 
C, granting the request of the church 
at Hogan's Creek, appointed a pres- 
bytery of elders to attend the church 
or arm of Hogan's Creek, at Union, 
in the community above named, and 
constitute or organize them into a 
body or church. 

The presbytery, to-wit: A. M. Den- 
ny, G ? Denny, Nathan Alberty, ahd 
J. D. Draughn, met 45 members 
with letters of dismission from other 
churches, and, finding them ortho- 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 179 

dox in faith, constituted them into a 
church and ordained John G. Jones, 
A. Z. M. Denny, and King D. Key 
as deacons, in said church. The 
church chose Elder M. G. Harbour 
for their moderator, and under whose 
watchful care the church has contin- 
ued to prosper. About 60 members 
is the present number in fellowship. 
Two elders, to-wit: G. O. Key and 
W. H. Atkinson have been ordained 
to officiate in the gospel ministry, 
one of which is still a member of that 
body, the other (Elder Key) has re- 
moved to Pilot Mountain. Several 
members have been granted letters 
and joined at other places. There has 
been very little trouble in this body, 
and not a church in the bounds of 
the Association stands fairer as a 
light to those who may behold her. 

BOCK HOUSE. 

The church at Rock House was an 
arm set off by the church at Tom's 
Creek, For several years it was on- 
ly a part of that body, but opened a 
door and received members. In 
April, 1889, the Association, in con- 



180 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

ference with the church at Union, 
appointed a presbytery of elders to 
attend the arm and constitute them 
into a church if found orthodox. 
On the 22nd day of June, 1889, there 
met with the members, composing 
the arm, Elders H. Gain and G. Den- 
ny, whom the Association had ap- 
pointed. They called to their as- 
sistance Deacon Wm. Southern. Af- 
ter due examination, they found the 
arm an orthodox body and constitu- 
ted them into a church. They chose 
Elder H. Cain as their pastor. He 
served them three years, at the end 
of which time he resigned. They 
then chose Elder W. 3EL Atkinson 
who served them until 1903. They 
then chose Elder G. O. Key who 
served them one year. Again they 
called Elder W. H. Atkinson. With 
10 members at the beginning they 
have been prospered until at present 
their number is about 48. 

DOVER. 

Near the village of White Plains 
is a church by the above name. At 
the spring session of the Fisher's 



PEIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 181 

River Association, the church at 
Stuart's Creek sent a request for a 
presbytery to organize a church at 
the above-named place. The Asso- 
ciation appointed Elders M. G. Har- 
bour, A. C. Woodruff, C. Blackburn, 
and W. H. Atkinson, who met with 
Elder F. J. Stone and several dea- 
cons, who also served with the ap- 
pointees on the 5th day of August, 
1893, as a presbytery for the organi- 
zation of Dover Church. Fifteen 
members presented letters from oth- 
er churches of the same faith (mostly 
from Stuart's Creek); and, after ex- 
amination, being found sound in the 
faith, were declared a church by the 
presbytery. They chose Elder J. D. 
Draughn as their pastor, who has 
served them ever since. Their pres- 
ent number is about 15. Letters of 
dismission have been granted to 7. 

MARTIN. 

On the top of the Blue Ridge 
mountain, near where the Volun- 
teer Road crosses the mountain, is 
situated a little church by the name 
of Martin. This body was organized 



182 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

on the 29th day of November, 1875, 
Elders M. G. Harbour and J. M. 
Wyatt, with Deacons A. Webb, J. W. 
Strickland, S. B. Bowman, and J. J. 
Ayers serving as a presbytery. Only 
six members at first composed this 
church. Their first pastor was Elder 
A. Gardner, who served four years. 
Elder A. Z. Phillips served one year, 
after which their present pastor, El- 
der Isaac Webb, accepted the care of 
the church and has been serving ever 
since. Their number is about 25 or 
30 members. 

ALBION. 

Among the foothills of the Chest- 
nut Ridge mountains, four miles 
north of Westfield, is an old grave- 
yard, for many years a burial ground 
of the Jessup family. So for many 
years, it carried the name of the 
"Jessup Grave-yard." In 1898, the 
author of this work began to preach 
there. There seemed to be so much 
interest manifested that, by request 
of the church at Tom's Creek, a door 
was opened for the reception of mem- 
bers. Some joined, and more inter- 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 183 

est was manifested; and, on Saturday 
before the fourth Sunday in June, 
1899, the church at Tom's Creek 
called for or requested a presbytery 
to meet there for the purpose of con- 
stituting a church, if found ortho- 
dox. 

On the 8th day of July, 1899, El- 
ders H. Cain, G. O. Key, H. D. Mick- 
ey, and J. A. Ashborn and Deacons 

O. J. Denny and H. C. Booker, met 
with 14 members, bearing letters of 
dismission from Tom's Creek and 
State Line churches. They consti- 
tuted them into a body, which adop- 
ted the name of "Albion," from the 
white land on which the meeting 
was held. It was a meeting long to 
be remembered, though held out of 
doors under an old oak tree. 

They adopted the Rules of Deco- 
rum, Articles of Faith and Covenant 
in general use by Primitive Baptists. 
They chose the author of this book 
to serve them as pastor. Their pres- 
ent number is about 40 members. 



184 

MOUNTAIN VIEW. 

This church, located near the foot 
of the Blue Ridge mountain, near 
the Volunteer Gap, was organized on 
the 30th day of March, 1895. Elders 
M. G. Harbour and A. Gardner, with 
Deacons H. C. Booker, J. C. McCraw 
and J. W. Strickland, serving as a 
presbytery. There were 14 members 
at first, and they chose Elder A. 
Gardner as their pastor, who served 
them until very recently, when El- 
der Garland Allen accepted their 
call, and is now their pastor. The 
church is yet small, with about the 
same number with which it organ- 
ized. 

PILOT MOUNTAIN. 

The church at Pilot Mountain was 
constituted on the 2nd day of De- 
cember, 1896. 

A presbytery of elders, C. B. Den- 
ny, H. Cain, and others, was ap- 
pointed by the Association when 
convened with the church at Volun- 
teer, in October, 1896. Elders Cain 
and Denny were present with the 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 185 

arm of Ararat church, at Pilot Mount- 
ain, December 2, 1896. Elder Elijah 
M. Barnard, of Mayo Association, 
being present, was requested and 
took part with them. Deacon P. W. 
Lawrence also was chosen as a mem- 
ber of the presbytery. 

Twelve members with letters or 
certificates of membership from Ar- 
arat, Union, and Tom's ('reek church- 
es came forward; and, being found 
orthodox, were constituted into a 
church under the name of the church 
at Pilot Mountain. They chose El- 
der E. M. Barnard as pastor, but the 
distance being so great, and his time 
so filled in attending other churches, 
he could not serve. They then chose 
their present pastor, Elder G. 0. 
Key. They also agreed upon Arti- 
cles of Faith and Rules of Decorum, 
almost verbatim with those laid 
down in HasseH's Church History. 
Their present number is about 50. 

Elders O. J. Dennv and C. F. 
Denny, the former now residing in 
Randolph county, N. C, and the lat- 
ter in Greensboro, N. C., were ordain- 
ed here on about December 26, 1804. 



186 history of fisher's river 

stuart's creek. 

This church is a very old body, 
but just when it was organized we 
have no way of knowing. The ear- 
liest account we can get is the date 
of the deed to the plot of land on 
which the house stands. This was 
(as we learn) executed in 1794. We 
learn that the first church book was 
burned in the home of one brother 
Moss some forty or fifty years a^o. 
About or before which time Elder 
John Jones became its pastor and 
served it a long while. At his death 
Elder A. M. Denny became its pas- 
tor and served two vears. Elders 
John Vass and J. D. Draughn served 
one year, then Elders Isaac Webb 
and J. D. Draughn two years, Elder 
D. S. Webb one year, Elder C. B. 
Denny some years, and now Elder 
G. 0. Key is its pastor. It was this 
church of which H. C. Booker, "the 
sweet singer," was a member. Its 
present number is about 70 members. 

volunteer. 
This church is located about three 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 187 

miles south east of Pilot Mountain. 
At first this church was an arm set 
off by Tom's Creek Church. On the 
16th day of November, 1867, Elders 
John Jones, Wm. Moran, Alex. Mo- 
ran, Hugh Jones, and Nathan Alber- 
ty, under appointment by the Asso- 
ciation, met with 22 members at the 
above-named place, all bearing let- 
ters from the church at Tom's Creek; 
and, finding them orthodox, consti- 
tuted them into a church. They 
chose Elder Wm. Moran as their pas- 
tor, who served them until his death. 
Elder Alex. Moran, his son, was his 
successor, serving them several years. 
Elders H. Cain, C. B. Denny, and 
others, for a longer or shorter period 
of time. At one time the church got 
in bad shape, owing to the nonfel- 
lowship existing among several of the 
members. After the difficulties were 
settled and fellowship restored, they 
chose Elder G. Denny, in April, of 
1888, who served them about four 
years, and resigned; on his resigna- 
tion, in March, 1895, they chose El- 
der W. M. Stone, their present pastor. 
Elders H. D. Mickey and J. L. Pyr- 



188 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

tie were ordained at this church. 
Their present number is about 42. 

CERTIFICATE OF PRESBYTERS. 

Stokes County, N. C, 

November 16, 1867. 
We, the undersigned presbytery, this day met 
at Volunteer meetinghouse, an arm of Tom's 
Creek, according to request of said church, and 
went into the examination of the orthodoxy of 
said arm; and, believing it to be orthodox in 
the faith, constituted it as a church of the 
Primitive Baptist faith, to exercise all the 
privileges of the gospel; also, we went into the 
examination of the two brethren, James George 
and P. W. Lawrence, and believing they were 
orthodox in the faith, set them apart to all the 
duties assigned them as deacons for said church. 
Signed by us, the presbytery, 

John Jones. 

Wm. Moran. 

Alex. Moran. 

Hugh Jones. 

Nathan Alberty. 



CONCLUSION. 

In the last chapter of this little 
book we will note some of the char- 
acteristics of the Primitive Baptists 
in the mountains, more closely than 
has been done elsewhere in this work. 

We will first note some of their 
customs in the management of their 
church matters, which are by no 
means fixed laws among them. 

First, all through this work will be 
noticed the fact that most of the pres- 
byteries are appointed by the Asso- 
ciation, yet there is no such a law. 
Why is this? Is it because they claim 
the Association higher authority 
than the church? By no means. The 
church is the highest authority; and 
the Association is only a union of the 
churches composing it, and claims 
no power over any of the churches 
(see Constitution). We would ask 
why, then, is the appointment made 
by the Association? It is because of 
the great desire to preserve perfect 
unity. The church desiring a pres- 
bytery asks the Association, where 



190 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

all the elders can be together and ar- 
range the matter to their best con- 
venience, and choose those who will 
best suit for the purpose. Then the 
Association simply requests the el- 
ders chosen to attend the request of 
the church; and, for the instruction 
of all, they report what they do 
back to the Association. But some- 
one will ask, Are no presbyteries ob- 
tained without the help or consent 
of the Association? Yes; it is some- 
times necessary to have a presbytery 
sooner than one could be obtained 
from the Association. In that case 
the church, so desiring, applies to a 
sister church, or to some elder or el- 
ders to give the desired aid, and they 
comply with the request. 

A presbytery is usually composed 
of two or more ordained elders. Or- 
dained deacons also serve on presby- 
teries, but it is not customary or con- 
sidered orthodox for a presbytery to 
be wholly composed of deacons. The 
work done by presbyteries is ordina- 
tion of elders and deacons, — there is 
no such title as "Bishop" used among 
them, though it is usually under- 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 191 

stood that all elders have a right to 
the title of "bishop" — constituting 
or organizing churches, and, in case 
a church gets too weak to exist lon- 
ger as a body, a presbytery is neces- 
sary to dissolve it and grant letters 
of dismission to its members. 

While the church is considered the 
highest body, and no ecclesiastical 
power over it, yet no church is sup- 
posed to have the right to withdraw 
from the Association without the 
consent of the Association. If a 
church wishes to join another Asso- 
ciation, it gets a letter of dismission 
from the Association of which it is a 
part, just as a member of a church 
who wishes to join at some other 
place; and, in like manner, no mem- 
ber of a church has a right to go to 
some other place and become a mem- 
ber there, without a letter of dismis- 
sion from his home church. One 
might ask, Why do they require a 
letter of dismission? It is plain that 
if going at random was tolerated that 
persons or members who become a 
little dissatisfied at some action of 
the church or Association, might 



192 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

leave because of the dissatisfaction, 
and thereby the fellowship or unity 
of the church would suffer. But if 
the party or parties, wishing to move, 
obtain a letter, the letter itself states 
that fellowship exists, and no one is 
hurt by the move. 

We will also note the fact that 
the Primitive Baptists do not have 
very long, or protracted meetings. 
This is not because they do not like 
to meet together and stay together a 
long while, for they love each other 
very much and often make sacrifices 
simply to be in each other's compa- 
ny; but the reason is because, at those 
long meetings or protracted meetings, 
lasting several days, there usually 
gets up more or less excitement; and 
they claim that persons may get ex- 
cited, in this way, and mistake the 
excitement for a change of heart, 
thus being deceived. They claim 
that excitement is no part of the 
Christian Religion, and should be 
guarded against. While it is true 
that they do not have long or pro- 
tracted meetings, yet, when their 
Associations convene, they have very 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 193 

large congregations, most generally 
from two to five thousand people as- 
semble at the place of holding the 
Association. Almost every body, near 
enough, "take company," that is, 
they open their doors and invite the 
people to their homes, and entertain 
them free of charge during the ses- 
sion of the Association. Usually on 
the last day of the Association, and 
sometimes on each day, dinner is car- 
ried to the church and served. Some 
have come long distances and must 
return, so this is necessary to prevent 
hunger. 

If a member is able to entertain 
his brethren in this way and refuses, 
which they seldom do, he is dealt 
with for covetousness, just as for any 
other sin. As a rule they are very 
hospitable, and no pains are sparred 
in providing the best they can get 
for their guests. 

At these Associations three dele- 
gates from each church are expected; 
correspondents from all neighboring 
Associations of the same faith, to- 
gether with elders from a distance, 
and all others who may wish to 



194 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

come and visit the Association or 
hear the preaching. 

It also seems to be well understood 
that no confederation of members or 
churches for the purpose of effecting 
changes or reforms is tolerated. If a 
change is desired it should be worked 
for in the body as a whole, whether 
in church or association; and if by 
reasoning the matter calmly the en- 
tire body is consentive, no one is 
hurt or wounded in feelings; but if a 
portion confederate themselves to- 
gether to oppress or suppress others, 
even though the confederating party 
or parties should succeed in obtain- 
ing a majority, then those who were 
suppressed would be wounded, and 
true fellowship could not exist. 
This, however, should not be under- 
stood to prohibit brethren, be they 
few or many, from discussing pri- 
vately or publicly existing evils or 
needed reforms. 

FREEDOM. 

It is claimed by all Primitive Bap- 
tists, so far as we know, that until a 
person is converted to Christ, or in 



PKIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 195 

Christ, : that such person is in bond- 
age to sin; that sin is reigning (rul- 
ing) over him; and in such condition 
he cannot feel entirely free, no mat- 
ter what the environments may be. 
But, as it is understood by the church, 
he has a master (sin) whom he is 
serving continually; and that, though 
while in nature's night, or unquick- 
ened, he is hardly conscious of it. 
Yet it is, all the same, true; and when 
quickened, he realizes his bondage 
and attempts to get out, but finds 
that it takes the prevailing grace of 
God, manifested to him individually, 
to bring about. true freedom. Hence, 
"If the Son make you free, ye shall 
be free in deed." Thus realizing that 
freedom is bought with the precious 
blood of a crucified Redeemer, they 
hold freedom and liberty as the great 
treasure here and are not ready to 
become entangled with bondage. 

They are careful not to join secret 
orders of any kind, as there appears 
to be some "secret" or "hidden" thing 
that they are not allowed to divulge; 
and, hence, the tendency to bondage. 
They claim that secret orders are 



196 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

dangerous to both church and State, 
and should not be tolerated. They 
often call them the "hidden work of 
darkness." They oppose all oppres- 
sive laws; very few of them favor 
" Prohibition' ' simply as a legal stat- 
ue, but they hold that if any "Pro- 
hibition 1 ' is effective, it must be 
wrought in the heart, and, once 
wrought there, is effective, indeed. 
Yet some favor legal "Prohibition." 

INDUSTRY. 

As a rule Primitive Baptists are 
very industrious, and very few of 
them fail to own little homes, as is 
stated somewhere else in this little 
book. But desiring to continue in 
the "old paths," very few of them 
launch out into the field of the in- 
ventive genius or take great risks in 
trying "something new." They eye 
new things with suspicion, until ful- 
ly tried. So, with the shifting of 
commercial interests, the seeming 
uncertainty of trade and manufac- 
ture, cause most of them to choose to 
be farmers, do their own work, eat 
their own raising of meat and bread, 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 197 

feed their own herds and use their 
milk and butter. This, also, tends, 
they say, to keep them freer and 
happier than they could be if other- 
wise engaged. You seldom or never 
see them in the market places or 
places of amusement, engaged at 
Checkers, Cards, Dice, or other games 
of amusement. 

While few of them are " Prohibi- 
tionists," yet drunkenness is looked 
upon as a very grave offense and is 
not tolerated. Virtue is a trait of 
character without which no one can 
be a Primitive Baptist, indeed. So 
it goes without saying that they are 
chaste, keepers at home, etc., etc. 

While very few of them have be- 
come scholars, in the true sense of 
the word, yet this is not due to the 
fact that they desire to put a prem- 
ium on ignorance, but to the fact 
that up until quite recently they 
have not had access to good schools 
within their reach. 

Remarks having often been made 
relative to the great number of 
preachers in this Association, calls 
upon us to say that it is true that 



198 HISTORY OF FISHER^ RIVER 

this Association has been blessed 
with quite a number of worthy min- 
isters; and, while this is true, it is 
also true that there has been some 
unfaithfulness on the part of those 
liberated to preach, as well as on the 
part of those liberating them, often 
being prompted by a spirit of kind- 
ness and love, not with an intent to 
injure the cause or the brethren. 

In conclusion let us say that, when 
Ave reflect on the history of this little 
body of worshipers, of their faith, 
devotion, love, virtue, as well as their 
troubles, trials, doubts, and fears, it 
calls to our mind the following little 
poem: 

Where shall a weary sinner go 
To soothe his sinful mind? 

What creature can conceive his woe, 
Save one of his own kind? 

His eyes ascending up to God, 

The Holy, Wise and Just; 
He sees a doom to be deplored, 

And meet that doom he must. 

There is no hope in justice, stern 

For him such fate to shun; 
A God of mercy he must learn, 

And to bis presence run. 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 199 

But justice must be satisfied, 

In the great Court above, 
Before such mercy is applied, 

In power, a,nd truth, and love. 

Jesus, the Son of God, and man; 

As God his sin doth see; 
As man, before his Judge doth stand, 

To set the sinner free. 

Justice he sees fulfilled complete, 
Since Christ has shed his blood; 

And glory crowns the mercy seat, 
For he's at peace with God. 

THE END. 




200 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 



INDEX. 

A 

Alberty, Elder Nathan 29,101. 

Albion Church 109, 182. 

Allen, Elder Garland. 114. 

Apostolic Baptist 35. 

Ararat Church 79, 96, 115. 

Arrington, Deacon C. L 84. 

Ashburn, Elder Jesse A 90, 124. 

Atkinson, Elder Joseph E .57. 

Atkinson, Elder Wm. H 89, 115. 

Atonement 9. 

Ayers, Deacon J.J 84. 

B 

Baptism 10, 138. 

Blackburn, Elder C 71, 97. 

Branscome, Elder A. M 74. 

C 

Carter, Elder Joshua .5. 

Cain, Elder Henderson 55. 

Call, the 149. 

Certificate of Presbyters 188. 

Charity ...147. 

Churches, Sketch of 156. 

Circular Letter 36. 

Church Meetings 129. 

Conference, the Church 130. 

Constitution 11. 

Covenant 6. 

Correspondence 22, 42, 72. 

Communion .140. 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 201 

Cody's Creek Church . 97, 98, 172. 

Colored Members 86, 87, 89. 

Conclusion 189. 

D 

Davis, Deacon Wm 29. 

Denny, Deacon Edmond 55. 

Denny, Elder Archilles M..57, 68, 113, 115, 124. 

Denny, Elder Gabriel 57. 

Denny, Elder C. B. . . . 81, 113, 115. 

Denny, Deacon Azariah M. 85. 

Dealing With Offenders 133. 

Deacons 86, 154. 

Deep Creek Church 156. 

Dover Church .94, 180. 

Draughn, Elder James D ..64, 113, 115. 

£ 

Edwards, Deacon Isaac 51. 

Elk Spur Church 63, 121, 171. 

F 

Faith, Articles of 7, 112. 

Fasting and Prayer 55. 

Falling From Grace .10. 

Ferris, Deacon Charles 47. 

Fisher's River Church — 158. 

Fisher's Gap Church 22, 168. 

Flat Shoals 165. 

Flower Gap Church 22, 121, 167. 

Foreknowledge 9 

Free Masons .30. 

Freewill. 10. 

Franklin Church 81, 162. 

Freedom 194. 

Fulk, T. L 35. 

G 

Gardner, Elder A 71. 



202 HISTORY OF FISHER'S RIVER 

Galean, Deacon Bennett 62 

Gates, Elder Wm. B 97 

Gates, Deacon Tyler 97 

Gentry, Deacon Calvin 51 

George, Deacon James 54 

Gill, Deacon S 61 

Golden, Deacon Wm 67, 76 

Gordon, Deacon J. M .... 102 

Gore, Elder D. N 86 

Gold, Elder P. D 91 

H 

Hall, Deacon John 32 

Harbour, Elder M. G.. . . .57, 67, 80, 113, 115, 124 

Hanes, Deacon Harden 59 

Hawks, Deacon Henry 64 

Hawks, Deacon G 74 

Hawks, Deacon Orvil 97 

Hawks, Deacon Charlie 116 

Hassell's Church History 70, 114 

Herring, Deacon H 61 

Holy Trinity 7 

Hogan's Creek Church 81, 176 

Hope 145 

I 
Industry 196 

Ji 

Jones, Elder John 23, 66 

Jones, Elder Hugh 66, 80 

Jones, Deacon John G 85 

Jones, Elder Isaac 86 

K 

Key, Elder G. O 89 

Key, Deacon K. D 85 

Key, Elder R. R 91, 101. 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 203 

I 

Lakey, Deacon A 29 

Lawson, Elder T. J 50 

Lawrence, Deacon P. W . .54 

Lewis, Deacon W. T 61 

Liberty Church 89, 173 

Little Vine Church 112 

License .150 

Lowe, Deacon Jacob 62 

Lord's Supper 10 

Love, Peace, and Union 83 

M 

Manner of Business 44 

Martin Church 100, 121, 181 

Mayo Association 75, 78 

McCraw, Deacon F. M 45, 102 

McCraw, Deacon J. H 116 

Members, Eeception of 135 

Ministry 11, 105, 149, 150, 152 

Mickey, Elder H. D ...95 

Mill Branch Association 86 

Mission System 18 

Mountain Association 68, 72, 79, 81, 82 

Mountain View Church 97, 184 

Mulberry Church 90, 175 

N 

New Churches 12 

New Institutions 20 

New Biver Association 72, 77, 78, 80, 82 

Norman, Deacon Jackson 114 

Nunn, Elder John 76 



Officers of Association , 12 

Organization 5 

Original Sin 10 



204 HISTOKY OF FISHER^ RIVER 



Ordination 


151 


P 




Parker Faction. 


96 


Phillips, Deacon R. P — 


101 


Phillips, Elder A. Z 


112 


Pilot Mountain Church 


102,184 


Pilson, Deacon Turner. ... 


112 


Pilson, Deacon Moses. .... 


43, 47 


Power of the Association 


14 


Predestination 


9 


Preachers 


37 


Preaching, Manner of 


38 


Presbyteries 


85 


Pyrtle, Elder J. L 


120 


a 




Queries 


. 30, 93, 99, 113,123 


R 




Resurrection .... 


10 


Revivals 


52 


Red Strings 


57 


Reception of Members 


135 


Righteousness Imputed 


10 


Rock Spring Church 


74, 81, 122, 165 


Rockhouse Church 


87, 179 



Roaring River Association 92, 94, 98, 102, 104, 

105, 111, 118 
Round Peak Church .... .... 121, 162 

Rules of Decorum 15 

S 

Scriptures 8 

Secret Orders 13,58 

Southern, W. B 84 

Speer, Elder James J 23, 27 

Statistical Table 126 



PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. 205 

State Road Church 74, 81, 82, 163 

Senter Church 87, 89, 173 

Stone, Elder Wm. M 90 

Stuart's Creek Church 74, 81, 186 

Sunday Schools 19 

Swan Creek Church 164 

T 

Tom's Creek Church 70 

Trouble, Ten Years of 169 

U 
Union Church 84,178 

V 
Volunteer Church 54, 186 

W 

Washing Feet. ... 142 

Welbourn, Deacon Marion 84 

Welbourn, Elder W. R. 92, 94, 99, 102, 105, 111, 118 

White Oak Association 86 

White Oak Spring Church 89, 170 

Wicked Punished 11 

Worship 128, 144 

Woodruff, Elder A. C 122 

Wood, Deacon Henry J 57, 116 

Wood, Deacon B. F 61 

Wyatt, Elder James M 113, 117, 120 

Y 

Yadkin Association 18 

York, Deacon Cornelius 65 

York, Deacon Enox 65 

Z 

Zion Hill Church 90, 121, 174 

Zion Association 121 



§ 

* NOTICE TO THE READER 



I 



ble that errors may exist. Any person, there - 
^ fore, finding such errors will do us a favor by w 



« * 

g While the author and committee have used S 

^ due diligence to ascertain the correctness of § 

every expression in this work, still it is possi- -$ 

notifying us, so that, in case a second edition 
♦ should be printed, such errors may be correct- 
^ ed. 

JESSE A. ASHBURN, 

Pilot Mountain. N. C. * 



$ 



DEC 28 1905 



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